A Brutalist landmark in Oslo’s Government Quarter, designed by Erling Viksjø and distinguished by two murals by Pablo Picasso, the Y-Block stood for fifty years before its demolition in 2020.
At a glance
The Y-Block was a modernist office building completed in 1970 as part of the Regjeringskvartalet (Government Quarter) in central Oslo. Architect Erling Viksjø designed the structure in a bold Brutalist style, notable for its sculptural concrete form. The building’s most distinctive feature was its pair of murals commissioned from Pablo Picasso—one of only three sites worldwide known to display Picasso-designed murals.
History
Constructed in the early 1970s, the Y-Block served as a government office building for nearly five decades. On 22 July 2011, the structure sustained damage during the Norway attacks. Following this incident and amid mounting debate about its future, the decision was made to demolish the building in 2020. Before its removal, the two Picasso murals were carefully extracted and are planned for integration into a replacement structure.
What you see
Viksjø’s design exemplifies Brutalism through its prominent use of raw concrete and geometric massing. The building’s distinctive Y-shaped footprint gave it its name and defined its silhouette in the cityscape. The Picasso murals were integral to the façade, adorning the exterior and serving as major artworks within Oslo’s architectural landscape.
Cultural significance
The Y-Block held considerable cultural weight as a rare example of a public building decorated by Picasso. Beyond its artistic merit, it represented an important chapter in post-war Norwegian modernism and government architecture. The murals’ removal and preservation signal their recognition as irreplaceable artworks deserving protection in a new context.
Key facts
- Country: Norway
- City: Oslo Municipality
- Coordinates: 59.916°N, 10.7458°E
- Completed: 1970
- Demolished: 2020
- Architect: Erling Viksjø
- Style: Brutalism
- Notable feature: Two murals by Pablo Picasso
Practical information & getting there
The Y-Block no longer stands; the site is in the Government Quarter of central Oslo. The Picasso murals have been removed and are scheduled for display in a new building on or near the original location. For current information on the site’s redevelopment and the murals’ status, consult local Oslo cultural institutions and municipal authorities.
Sources & resources
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