The National Museum – Architecture opened in 2008. The main building, designed by Christian Heinrich Grosch (1801–1865), was completed in 1830 as a division office for Norges Bank. It was adapted and extended by Sverre Fehn (1924–2009), who was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1997.

The building is a juxtaposition of classicism and modernist architecture – an encounter between Grosch and Fehn, Norway’s most important architects of the 19th and 20th centuries respectively. The museum’s temporary exhibitions explore both contemporary architecture and historical themes. The architecture collection includes drawings and photographic material, in addition to models and other objects. A new permanent exhibition with works from the architecture collection opened in 2014.

The National Museum – Architecture will continue in its current locations at Bankplassen 3, though the rest of the National Museum's collections will be moving to the new museum. Architecture will also be a part of the exhibitions of the new National Museum, opening in 2020.