Svalbard Samfunnsdrift and Arkiplan AS were the client and architects for the first phase of the Svalbard Science Centre development which was completed in 1995. The initial occupant was the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), a part of the Norwegian university structure, that offers courses specific for the Artic region to both Norwegian and international students. This first building housed teaching and study facilities and a large semicircular entrance area with a conical roof and a fireplace as focal point. This original part of the building was integrated into the phase which was completed a good decade later.