Oslo’s Deichman Library, by Lundhagem + Atelier Oslo, opens to the public
02/07/2020.
[Sentrum] Norway
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
metalocus, JOAN MARSET
On 28 March 2009, the Norwegian firms Atelier Oslo and Lundhagem, were awarded: to design an ambitious new public library for the city of Oslo.
Some 11 years later (The original launch date on March was stoped by the Covid-19 pandemic), the Deichman Bjørvika library opened its doors to the public, with a iconic project by Lund Hagem Architects and Atelier Oslo.
Some 11 years later (The original launch date on March was stoped by the Covid-19 pandemic), the Deichman Bjørvika library opened its doors to the public, with a iconic project by Lund Hagem Architects and Atelier Oslo.
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo. Photography by Einar Aslaksen
Site plan. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Ground floor plan. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
First floor plan. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Fourth floor plan. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Section. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Diagramme. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Programme. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Model. Deichman Library, by Lund Hagem + Atelier Oslo.
Oslo's Deichman Bjørvika central library, located alongside the Snøhetta-designed opera house on the city's waterfront, has six-storey building contains space for 450,000 books.
The architectural concept, designeb by Atelier Oslo + Lundhagem, is based on a ‘large, central continuous space that stretches up through the storeys.’ Three ‘light shafts’ cutting diagonally through the building from each of the entrances, giving a glimpse into different sections of the library.
The light shafts connect the floors and distribute daylight downwards from three big skylights in the roof.
The architectural concept, designeb by Atelier Oslo + Lundhagem, is based on a ‘large, central continuous space that stretches up through the storeys.’ Three ‘light shafts’ cutting diagonally through the building from each of the entrances, giving a glimpse into different sections of the library.
The light shafts connect the floors and distribute daylight downwards from three big skylights in the roof.
"Our aim was to make a library that can offer a variety of different spaces within one large continuous space. We think we have succeeded in making a building that is huge, but at the same time feels intimate so people can feel they belong there"
Atelier Oslo co-founder Nils Ole Brandtzæg.
Project description by Lundhagem + Atelier Oslo
The international architecture competition to design Oslo’s new main library was won by Lund Hagem and Atelier Oslo architects in 2009. The librarians wanted a house that would inspire visitors to explore all the new facilities and activities the modern library can offer. This motivated us to create an open and intriguing building in which you are constantly invited around the next corner, to discover new places.
The site is relatively small. In order to avoid building too many floors, the building cantilevers out above its footprint: The first floor above the street to the east, and the fourth floor almost 20 meters out above the urban plaza, creating a protective covering for the entrance. This largest cantilever displays the building to the city and still preserves the line of sight to the neighbouring Opera. The cantilevered floors are suspended from the roof above. The roof has a characteristic folded geometry that provides structural strength.
In order to create an enhanced feeling of openness and connection with the city, the ground floor facade is completely transparent. Visitors are received by three equivalent entrances, facing in different directions. Three ‘light shafts’ cut diagonally through the building from each of the entrances, giving a glimpse into different sections of the library. The light shafts connect the floors and distribute daylight downwards from three big skylights in the roof.
An open public space dominates the interior, with a variety of furniture and activities. Enclosed spaces and niches are organised around three free standing book towers, liberating the facades and allowing daylight to flow in from all directions.
Rooms and niches create arenas for temporal installations and exhibitions, with a rich variety of colours and atmospheres. The open areas have more permanent surfaces in neutral colours and robust materials. The concrete structures around the light shafts and in the folded roof are lasting elements that give the building a permanent and recognizable quality.
The facade combines high insulation value and even distribution of daylight. Narrow insulated panels alternate with narrow glass panels. The diffused glass of the interior eases the impression of the closed panels, creating a soft and even interior light. The facades are relatively closed in order to strengthen the impression of the light shafts and the library’s inner life and activities. In the corners of the building panoramic windows open views in different directions, lending variation and tension to the interior.
Deichman Bjørvika is an environmentally friendly building with innovative solutions for facade, ventilation and use of materials.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Interior architects.- Scenario.
Project management.- AFRY Advansia.
Structural engineering.- Bollinger Grohman and Multiconsult.
Consultants.- Multiconsult, COWI, Rambøll, Asplan Viak / Kan Energi.
Client
Oslo municipality.
Contractors
Contractor core and shell.- SKANSKA.
Contractor facade.- Roschmann Group.
Contractor interior.- AF Byggfornyelse.
Area
19,600 m².
Dates
Contest.- 2009. Completed.- 2020.
Photography
Architects Lund Hagem
Lund Hagem Architects, is an architecture and urban design practice based in Oslo. Lund Hagen Architects was founded by Svein Lund and Einar Hagem in 1990. Today the studio is based in Tjuholmen, Oslo and the practice is managed by the partners; Svein Lund, Einar Hagem, Mette Røsbekk, Per Suul and Kristine Strøm-Gundersen.
Lund Hagem architects have won numerous prestigious competitions and received a number of awards and citations for design excellence. The practice gained international recognition for winning the first prize of Deichmanaksen, an international competition for the Oslo city library in 2009. The work of the practice has been widely published in Norway as well as internationally.
Lund Hagem architects have won numerous prestigious competitions and received a number of awards and citations for design excellence. The practice gained international recognition for winning the first prize of Deichmanaksen, an international competition for the Oslo city library in 2009. The work of the practice has been widely published in Norway as well as internationally.
Nils Ole Bae Brandtzæg, Thomas Liu, Marius Mowe, Jonas Norsted. Atelier Oslo
Atelier Oslo is an architectural office established in 2006. The firm is lead by Nils Ole Bae Brandtzæg - Architect, Partner. Thomas Liu - Architect, Partner. Marius Mowe - Architect, Partner. Jonas Norsted - Architect, Partner.
Atelier Oslo aims at identifying the specific key challenges in each task, creating a common ground for the later evaluation of a spectrum of ideas and solutions. The development of each project focus on creating architecture of high quality in which the basic elements of architecture such as structure, materiality, light and space are particularly emphasized and reinterpreted in order to solve current problems. Atelier Oslo’s portfolio includes projects ranging from large housing projects to single family houses and small installations.
Atelier Oslo aims at identifying the specific key challenges in each task, creating a common ground for the later evaluation of a spectrum of ideas and solutions. The development of each project focus on creating architecture of high quality in which the basic elements of architecture such as structure, materiality, light and space are particularly emphasized and reinterpreted in order to solve current problems. Atelier Oslo’s portfolio includes projects ranging from large housing projects to single family houses and small installations.
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