BIG designs sinuous art museum to twist across a Norwegian river
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have designed a new art gallery for a Norwegian sculpture park which will twist across a river below.
The firm’s founding partner, Bjarke Ingels, described the design as the group’s “first experiment with social infrastructure – a building that serves as a bridge – or a cultural institution that serves as a piece of infrastructure.”
The 1,400sq m (15,000sq ft) museum will be the new centrepoint of the existing Kistefos Sculpture Park in the municipality of Jevnaker, north of Oslo, which exhibits work by acclaimed artists including Anish Kapoor and Olafur Eliasson.
Speaking exclusively to CLAD, BIG partner David Zahle said: “From the first time I set foot on the soil of Kistefos Sculpture Park, I was struck by the beauty of the landscape. The sculptures reflect and engage in the topography and the river in a truly magnificent way. Being able to contribute to the landscape of buildings, art and nature is a true pleasure.”
The new museum will provide an indoor space for several large-scale sculptures and installations. It will better connect the park, which is divided by the river, by creating one simple loop for visitors to follow.
BIG’s bridge – developed in collaboration with structural engineering firm AKT II, British designer Max Fordham and construction consultancy Davis Langdon – will cross the River Randselva, twisting as it does so in order for the structure to connect the lower-lying forested area on the south side with the more elevated north bank. The effect will be achieved by creating a fanning staircase inside, which will double as an informal seating area and performance space.
The non-glazed portion of the structure will be constructed of brushed stainless steel, while large insulated glass panels will use a reflective UV film to keep out any light which could damage the art. A large open gallery in the north side will provide views of the river, the surrounding forests and a historic paper mill nearby.
Ingels described himself as “instantly fascinated” by this dramatic surrounding landscape, with its combination of natural, industrial and artistic features. He said: “We approached the design for a new museum as an opportunity to create a masterplan for these three landscapes … we proposed a raw and simple form that would respond to the challenges of the landscape: a building, sculpture, and bridge – all in one.”
Echoing those comments, Zahle told CLAD: "Working on the borderline between infrastructure, art and architecture has been very inspiring. It combines three of our biggest interests into one exciting field of social infrastructure."
Construction is to begin in 2016 and the museum will be completed in early 2019.
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
Bionic leaves, breathable metals and selfgrowing bricks... Biomimicry in architecture has come a long way. Christopher DeWolf takes a look at the latest advances