Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture & Design Special – Norway
Deichman, Oslo’s new City Library will open to the public in 2019.
Carrying traditional architecture forward After winning an international competition with a unique wood structure, the four architects decided to establish an architecture office of their own. The result was Atelier Oslo, creating rich and detailed architecture. By Synne Johnsson | Photos: Atelier Oslo
With a team of 16 architects, Atelier Oslo works with projects of all scales and for all types of people. They are passionate about creative, distinctive and exciting architecture, something out of the ordinary. “We want to offer architecture for a variety of places and experiences. It doesn’t necessarily have to be as simple as possible,” says architect Jonas Norsted. Atelier Oslo always wants the work to be specific to the site. A great deal of their investigations are done using physical 92 | Issue 105 | October 2017
In many of our projects, we challenge the conventional way of building in wood; it is something about understanding that you are a part of a tradition and trying to carry it forward.”
models, customising each project to its surroundings, because it is easier to adapt the building to the terrain and to achieve contact between indoor and outdoor spaces when working with such models. To ensure the best possible design, they try and fail, testing out several different ideas and solutions before starting the construction phase.
In addition to focusing on materials and tradition, Atelier Oslo find a great deal of inspiration from nature – not trying to recreate it, but instead attempting to capture some of the qualities and experiences by being in nature, for example sitting under an old tree to see the sun shine through the leaves, which inspires them to create enjoyable spaces.
“Norway has a fantastic historical tradition when it comes to wooden architecture. 1,000-year-old wooden stave churches are a great inspiration for us.
All projects are done as teamwork. They all discuss the projects, sharing ideas and suggestions on how to improve. No one owns a single project; they belong to