The characteristic facades are constructed of sandstone blocks of different sizes with a coarse-hewn surface, so-called “råkopp”. Råkopp was characterized as a national style at this time – literally hewn out of the motherland. Such a façade style was used a great deal in the Northern countries around 1900 and after. The red stone, which is also to be seen in several foundation walls in the town, was fetched from Hasselneset by horse and cart and the town’s first motorized transport. The stone was hard, but easy to work with. A large proportion of the workforce, consisting of Norwegians, Danes, Swedes, Finns, Russians and even a Jew, sat hewing stone to a standard thickness, but of varying lengths and widths.

The first thing that happened after the site had been cleared and levelled was to mould a strong base. After that, the carpenters began to set up an inner wooden casting frame, which resembled a house with no roof, doors or windows. Finally came the stonelayers to build the walls, which consisted of an outer layer of stone and concrete mix behind it, which filled up the casting frame. The work was overseen by a master from Oslo. The state employed a site controller, and it is said that he was very exact in ensuring that the architectural designs were followed to the letter.