This article features a rare joint interview with all three founding partners of Snøhetta: Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Tarald Lundevall and Craig Dykers, granted exceptionally in support of the author’s doctoral research on cultural infrastructure. The 2009 Mies van der Rohe Award winners discuss their design philosophy and sources of inspiration, with particular emphasis on architecture for culture and public space, highlighting its openness, accessibility, and capacity to transform and care for society. The publication also includes a brief report on the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award and a critical review of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo.