Meeting place divercity

Christian added company HAV Eiendom AS
2 years ago

Christian added this project

This proposal won the 2nd place in the invited international competition for the site in 2009.

“Meeting place” is a cubic house emerging as a sculptural entity with a calm top and an expressive bottom. The new main library is destined to become a central meeting place as the privileged neighbour of the much acclaimed new Opera House on the waterfront of Oslo, capital of Norway.

To safeguard a direct sightline from the city to the characteristic “shoulder” of the Opera House a triangle is incised in the south-west corner of the library leaving a roofed outdoor space facing the water. The triangle is cut in staggered cubic indentations that invariably guide the visitor to the main entrance of the building. Only the top level occupies the full extension of the building’s footprint.

The incision provides an up to 23 meters high roofed outdoor atrium with a descending amphitheatric “bowl” below. The bowl will become a pivotal meeting place, where guests of the café - sheltered from the wind - can enjoy the sun and an unambiguous view of the water and the Opera House. The bowl will make a pleasant backdrop of the many activities taking place in the square.

The square in front of the library is strongly connected to the Opera House and the water to create a common plaza of activities, social life, events and recreation. The plaza will be studded by elegant skylights providing daylight to the lower groundfloor of the library partly extended out under the plaza. The skylights will be designed to form part of the urban furniture.

Inside, the library mimics the activities unfolding outside; strolls, circulation, squares blended with relaxation, contemplation and recreation.

2 years ago

Christian added company Schmidt Hammer Lassen
2 years ago