Metaphoric elements: shore – vessel – sails

Metaphoric elements: shore – vessel – sails

An old ship’s sails leaning against the symbol of a modern docked vessel.

Layout of the ground floor

Section

The concept was to present an interpretation of an old ship’s sails leaning against the symbol of a modern day vessel and, by so doing, unite the past and the present in an architectural context. Norveg presents the Norwegian coastal culture. It consists of a 500 m² exhibition area in addition to foyer, café/restaurant, a souvenir shop and a multimedia auditorium for 170 persons, as well as administrative facilities. Even the organization follows the metaphoric architectural elements. The spine of the building, the main central vessel or hull, houses the administration, the kitchen, and  technical amenities. The big block on one side, symbolizing the shore where the ship has docked, contains the multimedia and concert/ auditorium space. The sails cover the foyer, the restaurant, and the temporary exhibition. Due to the severe coastal climate, the choice of materials was very important. The sails are made of ALUCOBOND® because of its durability, the main building is cast concrete using horizontal formwork boards to allude to the ship’s planks. The afterdeck walls are covered with wooden boards, specially impregnated to resemble the old wooden boats. Norveg was nominated for the European Union Prize of  Contemporary Architecture-Mies van der Rohe 2005, as well as further nominations and prizes.

Architects: Gudmundur Jonsson Arkitektkontor, Oslo | Norway

Construction: Riveted / Screwed

Year of Construction: 2004

Product: ALUCOBOND® metallic colours Silver Metallic

Year 2004

Status Completed works

Type Showrooms/Shops / Bars/Cafés / Restaurants