BIG's twisting bridge in Norway has the potential to reimagine the museum experience
by Andrew Manns | 05 Jun 2019
– Bjarke Ingels
The Twist – a museum designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) – is set to make its debut on 18 September in Hønefoss, Norway.
Situated in the Kistefos Museum's 270,000 sq m sculpture park, the new structure – which has been described as an “art museum, sculpture, path in the landscape, and bridge" – spans the Randselva river.
The Twist will house three galleries dedicated to contemporary art
The site used by the sculpture garden is split by the river, so BIG decided to connect the two halves with the museum itself.
The twisted design of the building enables it to rest on riverbanks of different heights.
The Twist will be partly a work of art and partly a feat of engineering.
BIG's founder and creative partner, Bjarke Ingels, said the design has the potential to reimagine the museum experience, saying: "The museum visit itself will be a bridge, not a goal.
"With the inhabited bridge, we stumbled upon our first experiment with social infrastructure — a building that serves as a bridge — or a cultural institution that serves as a piece of infrastructure."
Founded in 1995, the Kistefos Museum occupies the former site of a 19th-century paper mill, with a collection of pieces by artists including Anish Kapoor, Olafur Eliasson, and Fernando Botero.
BIG has been working on the institution's renovations since 2015.
AKTII provided infrastructure oversight and support for the project, while DIFK served as the engineer of record.
Bladt Industries is responsible for building the Twist, which will be comprised of 380 tonnes of steel.
Christen Sveaas and Kistefos AS served as the scheme’s primary financial backers.
Construction is expected to be completed by 1 July.
Bjarke Ingels Norway Kistefos
The unique structure is situated within a 270,000 sq m sculpture park at the Kistefos Museum Credit: BIG
Other firms attached to the project include AKTII, Baumetall Design, and DIFK Credit: Baumetall Design
The scheme has been in the works since 2015 Credit: BIG
The Twist – a museum designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) – is set to make its debut on 18 September in Hønefoss, Norway. Situated in the Kistefos Museum's 270,000 sq m sculpture park, the new structure – which has been described as an “art museum, sculpture, path in the landscape, and bridge" – spans the Randselva river. The Twist will house three galleries dedicated to contemporary art The site used
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