Presentation
Norwegian Architecture at Dani Arhitektura, Sarajevo
May 14th 2011
Introduction to the Norwegian government’s initiative for architecture
(1)
(2) In 1993 the Norwegian parliament ordered an extensive study of the need for a comprehensive and
conclusive nationwide policy for architecture. (3) The result of the study would come to form the base
for a new approach, (4) and exciting opportunities for Norwegian architecture in the years that followed.
(5)The background of this study was the government’s former nationwide policies for architecture and
infrastructure. (6)During the late 19th century when industrialization and the need for major transport
routes were of the biggest concern, (7) architects came to form the foundation of the new city planning
originating from the railroad stations and main roads. (8) The next big step on a national level was the
task of rebuilding Norway after the 2nd World War and create environments suited to host a modern
welfare state. (9) Since the 1980s, the building sector has alienated itself more and more from the
government. As a result the common knowledgebase for architectural needs has deteriorated.
(10) The study concluded that there was a need of a new nationalized policy to face the challenges of
the years to come.
Focus was set on a number of issues that have a more or less direct effect on all levels of the Norwegian
society. (11) Particularly on transportation (12), ecologically sustainable buildings (13), tourism (14) and
the transformation (15) of structures built for now obsolete purposes.
The bottom line is that the construction industry (16) is one of the biggest sectors in Norway. It has a
production value in the range of (17) 15 – 20 billion Euros annually, of which ca. 20% is publicly funded.
(18) National plans and mutual nationwide goals ensure that this money is spent the in best possible
way. (19)
In this presentation I will take a closer look at some of the projects which has been developed from
these new national guidelines and supporting policies.
Tourism and national pride
(20)
In 1994 as one of the first projects developed from the architectural study, the National Tourist Board of
Norway and Norwegian Public Road Administration (21) begun evaluating the possibility of the public
road network as a tourist destination in itself. As a pilot project, renovation began on a few of the most
scenic routes as well as introducing rest areas along these routes. (22) Since then the project has
evolved, and has since 2002 been a separate post in the national budget.
(23) The background for the project was recognition of a growing tourism sector worldwide and the
need to offer diverse experiences for tourists. (24) Although the global competition for tourists is very
fierce, we needed to define the most competitive tourist resource. (25) For us it was natural that the
Norwegian cultural landscape was the most unique and characteristic asset.
(26) As the project unfolded over the next couple of years, the growing public interest, led it to become
a permanent feature of the Norwegian tourism strategy in 1997. And this is where our journey begins.
(27) A total of 18 stretches of road in Norway were chosen for developing the project National Tourist
Routes (Nasjonale Turistveger).
(28) The specific projects in the National Tourist Routes span from simple instalments of parking areas,
garbage disposal stations and public furniture, (28) to accessibility aids and more elaborate
constructions such as brand new roads and museums. (29)
Common for all the projects is that they share a strong connection to the landscape. (30)They also play
on the Norwegian national sentiment and culture, while still making it accessible for a wider
international audience. (31) They furthermore promote the value of the site itself and raise the public
awareness of nature and culture in symbiosis. (32) This symbioses leads to a greater understanding of
humans’ impact on the eco-system, and the opportunities given by nature. (33) This is a point equally
valid for Bosnia and Herzegovina as for Norway. (34)
Cases
(35)
Helgelandskysten
Helgelandskysten is one of the most spectacular parts of Norway. (36) But some 14.000 islands, one of
them protected by UNESCO, and some of the most interesting fishing waters in the world was not
enough to attract visitors. (37) However, since becoming one of the first parts of the National Tourist
Routes project, Helgelandskysten is now a major tourist attraction.
As it was one of the pilot projects, the freedom to create (38) and the diversity of instalments was
particularly large here. Architects were allowed to work with a wide range of projects. Including
everything from small additions to (39) the landscape to a large scale museum and elaborate stretches
of road.
As many of the other landscape additions in the project, accessibility and natural blend are the key
ingredients. (40) Small almost invisible objects connect man to nature. For example: Furniture to relieve
the tired, (41) and stairs leading directly to the water presenting a safe way to approach the ocean.
Among the bigger projects along the route is the Petter Dass museum (42) designed by Snöhetta. At
large this bigger intrusion in the landscape follows the same recipe. The naturalistic approach is clearly
visible and is present both in choosing the site, designing the building and selecting the materials. (43)
This binds the project together and promotes a clear image of the intentions of the National Tourist
Routes. (44) Intentions which would have been hard to materialize without a national guideline.
(45)
Havöysund
This is the northernmost stretch of the National Tourist Routes, (46) and it has seen an immense
increase of tourism since it became a part of the project. By implementing small architectural
instalments and investing (47) in new boats and hotels, hostels and campsites, the municipality has seen
an increase from 0 tourist nights, to some 13.000 tourist nights annually. (48)
Notable architectural contributions to Havöysund are visiting cabins placed along the seaside (49),
allowing spectators to enjoy the ocean while being protected from the elements. Also (50) a carefully
designed hiking path has been built. This wooden structure allows even walking impaired visitors to
enjoy the open nature, (51) and the holistic experience where architecture and nature meets in a near
seamless expression.
The investment that has been made to achieve this has been in the region of 5 million Euros. And if the
trend continues the project will be paid in full in just ten (52) years and start making revenue of roughly
700.000 Euros annually.
This is a good example of how a project, by global marketing, is contributing to the local municipality of
this small town relying mainly on fishing industries. (53) As a result there has been a positive impact on
the entire society by establishing new businesses and creating new jobs for the 1400 inhabitants.
Creating a situation where people may stay and live in rural areas without the need of seeking to a
bigger city to make a living.
(54)
The Peer Gynt Trail and the Hamsun Museum
Norwegian nature has also served as an inspiration for several Norwegian artists, (55) and there is a
close correlation between culture and nature in Norwegian art. This correlation is also preserved in the
development of Norway as a tourist destination. Two examples will be presented here.
(56)The Peer Gynt Mountain Road is a journey through Henrik Ibsens narrative landscape. His character
Peer Gynt serves as your guide through the Norwegian mountains, and the road allows you to discover
Ibsen’s source of inspiration.
(57)
The Hamsun Museum is also an example of the connection between nature and literature. (58) Located
at Hamsun’s scenically beautiful birthplace in Hamarøy, the museum is constructed both as a symbol of
his literary works, (59) and as an appraisal of the natural beauty serving as his inspiration. (60) The
wildness of his characters and the nature surrounding his birthplace is also reflected in the museum’s
architecture. In addition to its function as a tourist destination it has also become a focal point for
cultural activity in the municipality.
(61)
Aker Brygge
Aker Brygge is a district in Oslo built on the grounds of a former shipyard. (62) The historical layers
formed a base for architects to work on. Old shipyard buildings were transformed for new uses in a city
of transformation. (63) The project was built in several stages as the contaminated ground had to be
thoroughly cleansed. The shipyard closed their production in 1982 and in 1986 the first tenants moved
in. The fourth and final stage of the project was finished in 1998, and today Aker Brygge houses 450
inhabitants and some 7 000 people employees, mostly in the service sector. (64)
One reason for its popularity, besides the spectacular view over the Oslo fjord, is that it is well
connected to the rest of the city. With trams, subway, buses and both regional and international
railways in the vicinity. You can also find northern Europe’s biggest car park for electrical vehicles here.
Drammen
(65)
Another way to make an impact for a whole municipality was presented in a provincial town just outside
of Oslo. (66) With a bad reputation due to high unemployment rates (67) and environmental pollution
Drammen was in need of a new image (68)
Even before construction begun, the Ypsilon bridge had become the new symbol for Drammen. A
symbol of a new and better city. (69) A city with the subtitle Naturbania.
Naturbania has been a vision for Drammen since 1999 and promotes a dense urban experience
together with the closeness to untouched nature. (70) Within Naturbania there have been many
projects to help the citizens fight the pollution, such as funding of electrical cars and extended recycling
programs and now Naturbania has gotten its own landmark.
By building a new bridge in the center of Drammen, pedestrians and motorized traffic were separated
leading to new patterns in the city center. (71) Changes in shopping patterns and pedestrian flow are
predicted and will hopefully lead to a cleaner and safer city.
By changing the pedestrian flow, shopping patterns are equally changed. Allowing smaller shops and
more localized commercial patterns evolve. A local business climate stimulates small businesses and
activates the public spaces. (72) Crowded public spaces during more hours of the day helps to raise the
awareness of public responsibility, responsibility for the city and the safety of its citizens.
(73)
I would like to thank you for listening, and especially to Fabian Ståhl for producing this presentation in
cooperation with Audun Lutnæs. Finally I would like to thank the Association of Students of Architecture
for the invitation and wish you all the best with the rest of the events.
Thank you.