Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter design landmark timber tower and culture hub for heart of Oslo
by Kim Megson | 23 Jan 2018
This will be a forward-looking and robust hub where transport, travel, work, leisure, culture and industry merge in a functional and beautiful way
– Reiulf Ramstad
A design team led by Norwegian practice Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter has won an invited competition to create a vast cultural hub, topped by a timber tower enclosed in glass, next to Oslo’s historic railway station.
The project, called Fjordporten, will be the largest mixed-use complex in Norway. It has been conceived to revitalise the area around the main train station and offer travellers “new spatial and qualitative experiences.”
The base of the 50,000sq m (538,000sq ft) development will house publicly-accessible cultural facilities and will link to a new plaza, while a pergola will connect the site with the 19th-century station. Above, the tower will contain hotels, offices and workspaces for the city’s creative sector.
The building’s stacked modular timber structure will be exposed through a transparent glass facade. This will also provide shelter to hundreds of large trees and plants embedded all the way up the tower.
According to architect Reiulf Ramstad, the design, nicknamed ‘Nordic Light’, is inspired by the timber architecture of medieval Oslo, much of which was discovered by archaeologists during the construction of the railway station in the 1800s.
“We wish to bring threads of this tradition back by using wood as a culture-bearing material, in combination with modern materials such as structural concrete and high-tech glass,” he explained.
“The tower will emerge as a lighthouse for the railway, creating a sense of society, sustainability and environmental friendliness. It will be a forward-looking and robust hub where transport, travel, work, leisure, culture and industry merge in a functional and beautiful way.”
If approved by city planners, Fjordporten will become one of Oslo’s most prominent buildings due to its central location and its significant volume and height.
Ramstad’s design proposal – developed in collaboration with C.F Møller Arkitekter, Bollinger + Grohmann Ingenieure, Baugrundinstitut Franke-Meißner und Partner, GMBH and Transsolar Climate Engineering – was the unanimous choice of the competition jury.
In a statement, they said: “This design shows a good understanding of the building’s many potential uses and a willingness and enthusiasm to find solutions through good and sustainable architecture. We believe the proposal is robust enough to withstand any necessary adjustments and that the development will be strengthened by this idea.”
Twenty-three other teams had participated in the competition, with Bjarke Ingels Group, Ingenhoven Architects and Sauerbruch Hutton making it onto the shortlist.
Real estate firm Bane NOR Eiendom, a subsidiary of the Norwegian State Railway, is developing the project.
Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter’s previous cultural projects include new homes for the Romsdal Folk Museum in Molde and the Norwegian Mountaineering Center in the country’s mountainous Romsdalen Valley.
Reiulf Ramstad Oslo Oslo S Norway architecture design Bane NOR Eiendom
The project, called Fjordporten, will be the largest mixed-use complex in Norway / RRA and C.F Møller
The base of the 50,000sq m (538,000st ft) development will house publicly-accessible cultural facilities and will link to a new plaza, / RRA and C.F Møller
A large pergola will connect the site with both the city and the 19th-century railway station / RRA and C.F Møller
Adjaye, Ingels, Ramstad and Fujimoto in the running to design Edinburgh theatre and gardens
Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter win competition to design sculpture trail along abandoned French railway
Oslo architects build a snow-capped peak to house Norwegian Mountaineering Center
Fairytale folk museum by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter opens in Norway
A design team led by Norwegian practice Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter has won an invited competition to create a vast cultural hub, topped by a timber tower enclosed in glass, next to Oslo’s historic railway station. The project, called Fjordporten, will be the largest mixed-use complex in Norway. It has been conceived to revitalise the area around the main train station and offer travellers “new spatial and qualitative experiences.” The base
CLD,VAT,AAC,PRO,ARC,DES,DEV
More news
London's Battersea Power Station prepares for major launch
by Tom Walker | 28 Feb 2021
The restoration of the Grade II*-listed Power Station in London is nearing completion, with the mixed-use development preparing to open its next phase over the following months. This will see the first tenants moving into the regenerated Power Station, designed by WilkinsonEyre, followed by residents to the Electric Boulevard – designed by Gehry Partners and Foster + Partners – by the end of the year. Simon Murphy, CEO of the
Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hilderbrand reveal US$250m redevelopment for Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia
by Tom Walker | 28 Feb 2021
Longwood Gardens, a botanical visitor attraction near Philadelphia, US, has revealed plans for a US$250m redevelopment project. The historic site – one of the largest horticultural gardens in the US – will transform its visitor experience through the revitalisation of 17 acres of its core conservatory area. The 'Longwood Reimagined' project – set to be completed by late 2024 – will expand the public spaces of the central grounds and
Baca Architects submits scheme for floating eco-wellness resort
by Megan Whitby | 25 Feb 2021
Baca Architects has submitted a scheme to transform an unused flooded quarry and surrounding land into an eco-wellness resort, centred on waterside living and water-based recreation. In development is a response to pandemic travel bans, which are driving growth in the UK holiday market. The 80-hectare Ashwicken Lake site is situated in East Anglia, UK, and features woodlands, wetlands and a 1sq km lake. A £35m (US$49.4m, €40,7m) investment by
MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London
by Tom Walker | 19 Feb 2021
A new visitor attraction at London's Marble Arch is set to anchor ambitious plans to "reimagine" the city's famous Oxford Street shopping district. The planned Marble Arch Hill visitor attraction, designed by architects MVRDV, is part of plans to attract people back to Oxford Street following the coronavirus pandemic. Considered Europe’s busiest shopping street, Oxford Street has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 measures. Plans are already underway to diversify
Coventry's former IKEA building slated to become arts and cultural centre of international importance
by Tom Walker | 18 Feb 2021
Coventry, the UK City of Culture in 2021, wants to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create an arts hub to establish the city as an international destination for culture. Coventry City Council (CCC) has revealed multi-million pound plans to transform the IKEA building in the city into a visitor attraction showcasing some of the UK's greatest works of art. The new national Collections Centre would be created through a partnership
World's first entirely wooden stadium approved for use by EFL
by Tom Walker | 09 Feb 2021
Plans by Forest Green Rovers Football Club (FGRFC) to play its games at the world’s first entirely wooden stadium have been approved by the English Football League (EFL). Getting approval to host games at the proposed stadium clears another planning hurdle for the project, which would see a 5,000-seat venue built near the UK town of Eastington. Plans for the stadium were first unveiled in 2015 and it is expected
Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture create hidden nature retreat inspired by hygge and Nordic hospitality
by Megan Whitby | 05 Feb 2021
In the depths of the French countryside sits 48° North Landscape Hotel, a holistic ecotourism and wellness destination inspired by Scandinavian and French traditions. Realised by Nordic architecture firm Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter in collaboration with local firm, ASP Architecture, the secluded hotel is perched on the heights of the Breitenbach village in the Alsace region of France. Accommodation consists of 14 interpretations of traditional Scandinavian cottages – called a hytte
Zaha Hadid’s Opus building houses spa designed by The Wellness
by Megan Whitby | 03 Feb 2021
In 2020, the Dubai skyline was updated with an 84,300sq m cube-shaped building with a gaping eight-storey-wide void at its centre. One of the late visionary architect Zaha Hadid’s final projects. Named The Opus by Omniyat, the destination is set apart by being the only project where Hadid was responsible for both architecture and interiors, including select pieces from Zaha Hadid Design’s in-house furniture collection. The two-tower building is located
Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart
by Tom Walker | 02 Feb 2021
Omega Mart, a permanent visitor attraction and art installation built by Meow Wolf, is set to open in Las Vegas, US, this month. The attraction, dubbed "America's most exceptional supermarket", is located at Area15 – an experiential, 200,000sq ft retail and entertainment centre – and will feature more than 250 art projects created by 325 artists. In total, Omega Mart houses more than 60 unique environments that include installation-filled rooms,
BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply
by Tom Walker | 19 Jan 2021
Design specialist BRC Imagination Arts (BRC) has been selected to design and produce the World Food Center Experience in Ede, the Netherlands. The attraction will become an interactive platform exploring the impact of the world’s food choices and the importance of sustainable and healthy food production. BRC's concept will take guests on a personalised journey that will "challenge what they know about how food is produced and consumed, worldwide". The
Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort
by Megan Whitby | 13 Jan 2021
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio has expanded, with the opening of a premium all-season alpine resort at one of Japan's top winter sports destinations in Hokkaido. Owned by YTL Hotels, the 50-room Higashiyama Niseko Village resort is the first Japanese Ritz-Carlton Reserve and YTL's fifth destination in Niseko Village, residing at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri with panoramic mountain views. Niseko Village has been selected as the venue for some
Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval
by Tom Walker | 12 Jan 2021
The Museum of Military Medicine in the UK has received planning approval for a new building in the city of Cardiff. As a result, the historic attraction will move from its current home in Surrey to a new flagship facility designed by architects Scott Brownrigg. The new building – set to be located in Cardiff Bay – will host the museum's comprehensive collection of archives and exhibitions documenting the legacy
Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai
by Tom Walker | 12 Jan 2021
Construction work has begun on the huge Shanghai International New Cultural and Creative esports Center. The 500,000sq m venue is estimated to cost around 5.8 billion yuan ($898.2m) and forms part of a larger, US$1.5bn project. Built by Chinese property company SuperGen Group – the parent company of Chinese esports organisation Edward Gaming (EDG) – the venue is located in the city's Minhang District. The 6,000-seat arena is expected to
Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out
by Tom Walker | 08 Jan 2021
Frasers Group will open three new regional flagship Flannels-branded retail stores during 2021 – each of which will feature fitness studios. The Mike Ashley-owned retail group is betting on a recovery for British high streets with the plans, which will see stores opening in Liverpool, Leicester and Sheffield. As well as a seven-floor Flannels megastore on Liverpool's iconic Parker Street, Frasers will convert the existing House of Fraser store at
OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park
by Tom Walker | 03 Jan 2021
Architecture firm OMA has revealed designs for an ambitious underwater sculpture park which will stretch across seven miles off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida, US. Called ReefLine, the park is being developed by BlueLab Preservation Society in partnership with the City of Miami Beach and Coral Morphologic. It will feature art installations located around 20ft under water, which can only be viewed while snorkeling or diving. Conceived by cultural
Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou
by Tom Walker | 31 Dec 2020
Büro Ole Scheeren and Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban have been appointed to create a masterplan for the Hangzhou Wangjiang New Town project in China. Together, the architects will establish a new art and cultural destination in the historical city on behalf of New World Development Company, a Hong Kong-based group focused on property, infrastructure and hotels – and one of the largest foreign direct investors in mainland China. With
FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum
by Tom Walker | 28 Dec 2020
Football's world governing body FIFA has filed a criminal complaint over what it describes as "criminal mismanagement" of the World Football Museum project in Zurich. The project was first announced by disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2012 and the attraction opened its doors in February 2017 at a cost of around CHF500m (€459m, £415m). The 3,000sq m (32,300sq ft) museum is part of a larger development which includes
ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest
by Tom Walker | 26 Dec 2020
A new hotel room concept which "shapes around the visitors" looks to transform the overnight experience for hotel guests. Called Heya, the concept was created by a team of designers, led by ReardonSmith Architects. Using technology and innovative design, Heya can be dramatically reconfigured by guests to suit their purpose and is built around the idea that guests shouldn’t have to settle into their room: it should take shape around
Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'
by Tom Walker | 15 Dec 2020
Disney has released the first visuals of its Star Wars -themed Galactic Starcruiser resort, which is set to open at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida next year. The ambitious new attraction will offer accommodation in hotel 'pods', which are part of a new type of "ultra-deep immersion" experience into the Star Wars universe. Each guest will be able to become the hero of their own adventure during a two-day,
Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co
by Tom Walker | 15 Dec 2020
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, one of the most important buildings of the UK's industrial past, is to be restored and redeveloped as a heritage visitor attraction. Built in 1797, the building is known as the "grandparent of the modern-day skyscraper", due to its pioneering cast iron frame, which was the first of its kind in the world and paved the way for the development of skyscrapers. It operated as a flax
LVMH announces Bulgari Hotel for Miami Beach, with design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel
by Megan Whitby | 10 Dec 2020
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts will open a new property in Miami Beach, Florida, in 2024. The Bulgari Hotel Miami Beach will be a 100-key beachfront hotel, offering a luxury wellness retreat complete with a large spa and fitness centre and outdoor pool. The hotel will be housed inside a building originally created by Miami architect Albert Anis in the late 1950s, located in the National Register Architectural District. The design
Technogym opens retail store in Los Angeles
by Tom Walker | 09 Dec 2020
Technogym has opened the latest of its consumer-facing retail store concepts in Los Angeles, US. The two-floor store, covering 3,500sq ft, is located in the heart of the West Hollywood Design District and will showcase the full range of Technogym's equipment and services. Specifically targeting the high-end consumer market, the store will allow people to access and discover the company's at-home products and solutions. Staff at the site will include
AZPML and UKST win competition to design Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture
by Tom Walker | 09 Dec 2020
Architects AZPML and UKST have secured the commission to design the Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture (KMUA), a £31.4m project in Sejong, South Korea. The competition was organised by the National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC), which is looking to establish a museum exploring the history and the development of the built environment across the country. With a total floor area of 17,050sq m, the museum will be
Delos partners with TPP Capital to advance access to health and wellbeing solutions in urban communities
by Megan Whitby | 08 Dec 2020
Global wellness real estate and technology company Delos is collaborating with TPP Capital Management Group (TPP) – a Black-led social impact private equity fund manager and healthcare real estate development firm – to advance health and wellness through buildings in urban communities. The partnership will first work to transform Tioga District in North Philadelphia, US, with evidence-based healthy building strategies and solutions. The district has an 85.5 per cent Black
The Well creates integrated wellness retreat in New England countryside for Auberge Resorts
by Megan Whitby | 04 Dec 2020
The Well has struck its first-ever hospitality partnership and developed a holistic wellbeing retreat for Auberge Resort Collection’s Mayflower Inn & Spa resort, in Connecticut. The opening will complete Mayflower Inn’s property-wide transformation including a redesign of the 35-room resort, led by interior designer Celerie Kembele. The Well is a modern wellness brand known for its first location in New York which offers integrated holistic health solutions and access to
Architects 10 Design reveal plans for ambitious Edinburgh city centre plans
by Tom Walker | 28 Nov 2020
International architecture practice 10 Design has revealed its design concepts for an ambitious redevelopment of Edinburgh’s city centre. The project will transform the former Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) site on Dundas Street into a first-rate mixed-use development, which will create a new urban centre, providing a significant addition of public realm, including hotel, retail, residential and office components. The development will replace the existing car park and the ex-RBS
Perth's Boola Bardip museum opens in new AU$400m building designed by Hassell and OMA
by Tom Walker | 24 Nov 2020
Western Australia's new $400m WA Museum Boola Bardip, in the heart of Perth's Cultural Centre, has officially opened after four years of construction. Charting the rich heritage of Western Australia (WA), the museum houses eight permanent exhibition galleries, a 1,000sq m special exhibition gallery, life-long learning studios and retail, café and public spaces. The Museum has been conceived as a ‘collection of stories’ about WA's diversity, history and contemporary culture.
UK Government's £1bn scheme to decarbonise is 'a huge opportunity' for the leisure industries
by Tom Walker | 19 Nov 2020
The UK government has launched a £1bn Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), providing grant funding for energy efficiency measures across the public sector. The funding has been made available for capital sustainability and heat decarbonisation projects within public sector non-domestic buildings, including central government departments and non-departmental public bodies in England. Public sector bodies can apply for a grant to finance up to 100 per cent of the costs of
Museum devoted to the history of the US Army opens its doors
by Tom Walker | 16 Nov 2020
A museum telling the story of the US Army has opened in close to Newington, close to Washington, D.C. The National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA) is the first to outline the rich heritage of the oldest branch of the United States military had has been designed to serve as a center of education and as the Army’s symbolic "front door". Rather than focusing on battles or wars,
Architrave designs Banyan Tree Krabi with rainforest-themed spa
by Megan Whitby | 09 Nov 2020
Banyan Tree Group has begun welcoming guests to a new 72-key beachfront resort and spa in Southern Thailand, named Banyan Tree Krabi. Design studio, Architrave, realised the new resort which is inspired by Buddhism, as well as the surrounding natural landscape, water and a mythical sea creature from local Krabi legends. Owned by Asset World Corporation, the five-star hotel houses a 517sq m rainforest-themed spa offering traditional Thai healing rituals
company profile
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
features
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
features
cladkit product news
The dome aims to integrate technology with arts and culture
Christie® GS Series 1DLP® laser projectors are delivering vivid and lifelike visuals in a new dome theatre located in Xiong’an
...
The design of the columns was inspired by the sea
After a two-year renovation, Oakland-based metal experts Móz Designs have unveiled their inclusion in Georgia Aquarium’s new shark gallery. Located
...
The new winter design is finished with naturally occurring hexagonal patterns found in snowflakes
Siminetti unveils first glimpses of Mother of Pearl decorative surfaces inspired by the four seasons
Siminetti has collaborated with British designer Chrisanna London to create a luxury Mother of Pearl decorative surface range inspired by
...
cladkit product news
LianTronics’ giant curved LED wall with stunning glasses-less 3D spaceship display effect has attracted many on the street of Chengdu,
...
The compact plug-in product can be used easily in a commercial spa or domestic setting to disinfect surfaces with UV-C light
For over 30 years, ASPA International has designed and built high-quality spas for the hotel, health and wellness sectors. During
...
cladkit product news
The new Experience Centre houses a 20m LED dome
Cosm, a global technology company that builds end-to-end solutions for immersive experiences, has unveiled its Experience Centre which houses a
...
The team combines lighting, video, sound and special effects, with scenic and architectural elements, to create unforgettable visual experiences
Belgium-based light and video design studio, Painting with Light, will translate the story of your location into a visual experience,
...
