Image : http://www.flickr.com
Architecture is about building. In the design process previous to new buildings there are many criteria to evaluate such a new building. One of them is the connection of the new with the existing, another criteria is how the new building is able to make a transformation of the old and existing architecture.
The so-called Munch area in Oslo has recently been selected by the government to project a massive change. 20 architects have been invited to give their ideas to this transformation.
The Spanish architect Juan Herreros (also professor of architecture in Madrid and the Columbia University in New York) has been chosen as the winner for his contribution called: LAMBDA.
The winner is chosen by a unanimous jury for being a complete and fully recommendable museum project that creates great potential for recreational and urban development. The project manage to introduce a potential landmark standing respectfully to the east of the Opera.
This connection of the new museum to the existing Opera has been one of the strength of the Lambda project:
Lambda creates a generous invitation... leaves the area ... in close contact both with the Opera and the Museum. The project strengthens the river mouth, opens the landscape and gives public access to both sides of the river all the way out to the fjord... The concept of the Museum is flexible and invites to create new relationships between the two institutions.... It is light and translucent in contrast to the opera.
It is displaying the movement of people in the facade in contrast to the people walking on the roof of the Opera. The Museum talks with both sides of the bay by placing the exhibition and working space east and communication and public flows facing west... Lambda makes a public vertical statement that is more powerful than the commercial high-rise zone to the north. It is a statement of art and public accessibility to the fjord. The building is elegant and iconic in its simplicity and will be a light tower in the fjord introducing an amazing place for people enjoying the unique landscape of Oslo (1).
Lambda refers to the Greek letter that represents the wavelength in light or sea wave phenomenons. The Munch museum is to be build by glass constructions that change in reaction to alterations of light and sea movements.
The other part of the project in Transforming Norway was won by a norwegian architect: Lund Hagem from Oslo. His proposition was called Diagonale focused on delivering a new library.
Their solution for the new Deichman Library was focused on:
- integration with the city
- views offered by visitors towards the city (the fjord, surrounding hills, and the
shortest connection to public transport)
- presentation to the public (announcing its presence to the visitors arriving from down town Oslo and the Central Station)
- multiple entrances
- light distribution in the interior of the library
- communication with the city (The façade diffuses the sunlight, At night the building will glow and change appearance as a reflection of all the different activities and events inside the library)
Another reason why this project was chosen was the support of the people who have to work there; it received the best rating from the librarians in the jury...
Change managers often forget the importance of the people - employees - who have to work with a new tool or in this case have work in a new building. The new building must not only be "sexy" which helps to motivate people to work there, it must also be functional (useful).
Another important issue in managing change - transforming a city - is the role of the stakeholders:
"... it scored best on environmental issues... It can meet energy objectives well below official requirements and is well ahead of all others."
That the city of Oslo is transformed partly by local architects is another important element in the change. The fact that the two important projects have not only been won by foreigners may influence the acceptance of the transformation.
Imaging a project in an company of which only external consultant would benefit - not all too unrealistic - the project would meet a lot of resistance...
The transformation of a city is similar to many change programs in business.
(1) - http://www.haveiendom.no/eng/
Copyright © 2009 Hans Bool
For more information on similar and a wide range of different topics have a look at the writer's block note
