Architect：KHR Architecture

Location：Bergen, Norway; | ;View Map

Project Year：2014

Category：Secondary Schools;Swimming Pools

The architecture of the AdO Arena and Amalie Skram Secondary School in Bergen represents a remarkable integration of a school and a swimming facility within a large, well-lit building on Nygårdstangen. Architecturally, the school and swimming facility blend seamlessly, both in appearance and functionality. With over 1,000 students in attendance, the project places a strong emphasis on social and environmental sustainability.

When the need arose for a new school and swimming facility in Bergen, it was imperative for KHR to construct a building that seamlessly melded with its natural surroundings. The architectural design of the building eloquently captures its interaction with the varied terrain. At a distance, the structure presents itself as a unified entity, resembling a massive stone by the water, sculpted and weathered by the elements. Up close, it reveals precise cutouts serving as entrances, thoughtfully designed to align with the city's natural flow. This "stone" has thus become an iconic representation of the city, offering shelter in a windy, exposed area of Bergen.

The building's exterior is adorned with metal panels, including tombak, a copper alloy with a rich, dark brown/golden hue that matures over time, developing a distinctive patina. These metal panels on the façade are tinted in shades of green and blue, creating a dynamic interplay of colors that unites the school and swimming facility. This cohesive theme extends into the interior of the building, where the school and swimming facility are seamlessly integrated through sightlines and transparency.

The interior spaces are flooded with natural light on all levels, thanks to strategically placed overhead and sidelights. The expansive interior windows not only facilitate the flow of light but also beckon users to explore the multitude of opportunities housed under one roof.

The AdO Arena is purposefully designed as a national swimming facility, encompassing 12,000 square meters, featuring a 50-meter pool and additional pools for diving, therapy, and educational purposes. The school, spanning 16,000 square meters across four levels, includes classrooms, group rooms, a library, cafeteria, aula, and two spacious auditoriums. Moreover, Amalie Skrams School boasts a multipurpose hall that can be divided into three gymnasiums, along with a well-equipped fitness center. Notably, the project is deeply committed to sustainability, with initiatives such as utilizing waste heat from the building and surplus heat from the swimming area for heating the premises.

"The connection between the school and the swimming facility in an open structure allows for numerous interior arrangements, providing flexibility to adapt the building to changing needs, which invariably arise."

-Janina Zerbe, Architect og Partner at KHR Architecture.

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