Theatre and Jazz-house, Molde, Norway

Address: Gørvellplassen, Molde, Norway
Competition: First Prize, invited competition
Architect: 3XN





Molde Theatre : 3XN

Theatre and Jazz-house Molde, Norway: Description

Address: Gørvellplassen, Molde, Norway | Client: ”Teater- og jazzhuset” (a consolidation of the local theatre Teateret Vårt, Stiftelsen Molde International Jazzfestival, Kunstnersenteret Møre og Romsdal, Stiftelsen Bjørnsonfestivalen, Molde kommune og Grunneierne på Gørvellplassen) | Competition: First prize, invited competition | Budget: 75 mil. NOK / € 9.3 mio. | Size: 5.800 m² | Architect: 3XN



Molde, at the Romsdalsfjord south of Trondheim, is renowned for its international jazz festival attracting both famous jazz-musicians and a wide audience every summer in July. 3XN has designed a building that quite literally grabs the site, Gørvellplassen.

Like a paper cut, the 3XN project cuts and folds the square to let the surface of the square and the roof of the building merge. In this way, the different stages, the gallery and the café of the inside, are opened up to a free flow between the interior and the exterior of the building. Horizontal strips of glass create wide openings for the daylight, providing a splendid view from within as well as openness to the exterior.

Coherence is established by use of the same, local stone on both walls and floor, and a broad staircase that provides the jazz festival with a big open-air stage. The project contains a library and an arts centre including a gallery facing the upper square. Situated in the eastern wing, the library has a strong exposure to the square.



The structure is relatively low-rise, consisting of just three floors that make room for Teatret Vårt, Molde International Jazz Festival, the Bjørnson festival, the library, and the arts centre in a compact and well-functioning structure. With its highly usable and easy accessible areas, it maintains the public space of Gørvellplassen, and enhances the flexibility of the square, in accordance with the surrounding sober and regularly shaped buildings, while the horizontal lay-out opens up the square in the north-south direction.

Molde Theatre entry by Keith Williams Architects

Norway Buildings

Norwegian timber buildings

Norwegian Architects



Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal Architect, 3XN



Architect MAA RIBA Kim Herforth Nielsen, founder of 3XN, is Principal Architect. Kim Herforth Nielsen holds full architectural responsibility for all 3XN products from original concept to turnkey building. Kim has been a main driving force in 3XN's 20 years of history, with projects like the Royal Danish Embassy in Berlin; the Architects' Building in Copenhagen, the Music Building in Amsterdam, Ørestad College and the upcoming Museum of Liverpool in his port folio. Kim is honoured with the Danish Knight's Cross and the Eckersberg Medaille. He is judge in the Danish Architectural Association's competitions, sat in the AR Emerging Architects Award 2006 jury and is a frequent lecturer at architects' schools, universities etc. world wide.

Molde Jazzhouse competition entry : Keith Williams Architects

Norwegian building : Knut Hamsun Center by Steven Holl Architects

World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Molde Theatre and Jazz-house info from 3XN Architects 031207

Comments or building suggestions / photos for the Norwegian Architecture page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Molde Jazzhouse & Theatre - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt