National Museum at Vestbanen,Oslo,Norway Museum by officetwentyfive architects

DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

OA : To design a “work of art” to exhibit works of art was our ambition and vision for the Norwegian Museum of Modern Art and Architecture. Our aim was to create a point of reference, for the area of the port while approaching the site from a distance. Thus, we designed a building that would stand due to its unique shape without making reference to any other building. We wished to provide a form of originality, the sense of a start (sketch of the museum from a distance). Our approach is aiming at something unique. This is a rather artful than strictly architectural approach. Our inspiration was the view of icebergs from a distance.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

OA : We had in mind to create a landmark, a reference point for the city of Oslo. We tried to incorporate on the building the Norse mythology -born under the water- (the entrance). Moving upwards (the galleries) to Valhalla (a balcony on the top of the building with views to the city and to the fiord) feeling like an ancient god. Probably I was not able to convince the jury about the “greatness” of my plan or maybe I was too ambitious and thus we have not got shortlisted for the commission. Oslo became a destination for pupil interest in architecture with the Opera Building by Snohetta and we wanted to continue adding our mark on the great beginning.