Oslo, Norway

SPYGLASS_National Museum at Vestbanen (Oslo)

Un Museo d' Arte Moderna e Architettura per Oslo

The project cares about the following items: • The museum and the sea • The museum and the city • The museum and the heritage value on site In order to avoid laying out of visual barriers between existent buildings and the sea, I’ve decided to diminish the building height to the utmost, creating an urban open space, a sort of platform that matches with the surrounding spaces and avoid iconic temptations. The design shape does not overhang the Western Railway Station, but surrounds it with lightness to underline the architectonic characteristics of the old building. I wanted also to limit the vehicular traffic which will be open only to the east side of the lot directly from the Dronning Maudsgate through a roundabout to consent the busses and taxi incoming and outgoing. The remaining external spaces shall be for the walkways at cycle lane, as for the office block in future. The result wants to go over “the building presence “ in order to display the works of art outside the limit of the project area. The artworks exibithions has to expand to the nearest squares till the shore. My choice is to create a “neutral container” regarding to the optimization principle of the exposure surface, maximum security and energy saving. The building very low and wide, has got different size of slabs that supply the maximum flexibility in terms of espositive spaces, changing easily in form and size related to the future development of the museum activity. With this design we/I create double or triple heighs that permit the exposure of works in big dimension. From the oblique surface of the glass roof emerges jutting volumes facing the sea just as “spyglasses”. They contain spaces where the visitors of the museum take a rest or relax, but they can be used also for particular exhibitions. On every single floor has been created a huge gangway to connect the different functions of the building. This corridor is fire proof and permit the quick evacuation of the public and the staff in case of fire. It has been build in order to save the works of art in case of need as well. The main entrance that introduces to the Foyer is from the old Western Railway Station. Exhibition spaces are located on five levels, starting from level –1 , and all are illuminated from the big glass roof. Polarized glasses with photovoltaic system guarantee the brightness control and the internal comfort. Every floor has got escalators and lifts placed in a simple way in order to let visitors find their own way out easily. The artworks delivery is seated underground to level –1. You approach by the ramps from the Dokkveien and permit the maximum security in transport operations. Considered the structure dimension/ size , foundation shall exceed the clay layer and reach the bed rock underlying in order to avoid differential subsidences. It all shall be done with piles or diaphragms. The structure shall be realized in reinforced concrete and steel reticular beam.

Europaconcorsi Beta

SPYGLASS_National Museum at Vestbanen (Oslo)