When Norwegian architect Einar Jarmund, whose work can often be found isolated over a river or alone in a snow-blanketed forrest , designs a building, he is seeking to paraphrase nature. He said it is his challenge to strive to be as good as it.

The work of Jarmund's firm, Oslo-based Jarmund/Vigsnæs, is on display now at the Nordic Heritage Museum in an exhibit called “Lost in Nature: The Architecture of Jarmund/Vigsnæs.”

The exhibit is a collection of images and models of architectural projects in Norway that have a close relationship with nature.

Jarmund said as an architect you are given a place to put your building, and he is fortunate enough that for his firm that place is often nature.

There is something special about being given a natural setting to work with; it is an amazing source of inspiration, he said.

According to the press release for "Lost in Nature," Jarmund/Vigsnæs focuses on projects with the potential for meaningful architecture, frequently in strong natural settings with harsh climate conditions.

One of Jarmund/Vigsnæs' projects is located near the north pole, where there are four months of total light and four months of total dark. Another is perched among glacial boulders.

Jarmund said his firm explores different strategies to relate to nature and extreme climates. It requires the architect to start a dialogue with nature, he said.

Jarmund was born in Oslo and graduated from the Oslo School of Architecture in 1987.

He received his Masters degree from the University of Washington and worked and taught in Seattle before returning to Norway to establish Jarmund/Vigsnæs in 1995 with Håkon Vignæs, later adding partner Alessandra Kosberg.

Jarmund said he was definitely affected by his time in Seattle. For example, he said the urbanity of Ballard Avenue has been an inspiration for making architecture in Europe.

“Lost in Nature: The Architecture of Jarmund/Vigsnæs" runs Sept. 17 to Nov. 14 at the Nordic Heritage Museum, located at 3014 N.W. 67th St. Click here for ore information. Click the photo above for examples of the work of Jarmund/Vigsnæs.