 He became a central figure in the DnC's plans to develop the Vaterland neighbourhood in Oslo.AS Vaterland was created soon after the DnC had been granted construction rights in 1965, and was a project designated for planning to develop the Vaterland neighbourhood into a business and office centre.Gjems-Onstad was a board member of AS Vaterland from 1966 to 1972, and was its CEO from 1970.