Opera House Oslo : Architecture Information + Images

Mies van der Rohe Award Winner, 2009: The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Oslo (Norway) Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Tarald Lundevall, Craig Dykers / Snøhetta picture : Jens Passoth Opera House Oslo Opera, from west photo : Statsbygg Client Client: Ministry of Church an Cultural Affairs Building Client: Statsbygg (The Governmental Building Agency) End User: The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Oslo Exterior, night image : Erik Berg Program The Norwegian National Assembly voted in 1999 that the operahouse was to be built in Bjørvika, on the seafront at the Oslo fjord. In this way the building would be the foundation for the urban redevelopment of this area of the capital. The government wished that the Norwegian Opera & Ballet should be a monumental building which would mark Norway as a cultural nation as well as highlighting the social and cultural importance of The Norwegian Opera & Ballet. The building should be a landmark within architecture, construction, use of materials and technical solutions. Building site, winter photograph : Statsbygg Norwegian Opera & Ballet - History The National Assembly votes to build the operahouse in Bjørvika International, anonymous arkitecture competition, 240 entries Snøhetta declared as winner Schematic design delivered The National Assembly votes to execute the design. Budget confirmed. Groundworks begin 17 February Foundation stone laid H.M.King Harald V 3. September The Stage tower, the opera’s highest point, completed 11 May ”Weather tight” construction in february, Interior works commence Building completion End user moves in, testing period, formal opening 12 April Norwegian Opera House - Open day, Aug 2007 picture: Snøhetta Norwegian Opera House : Building Client & User Statsbygg is Norway’s largest civil property manager, with 650 employees. It is the state’s main consultant on building and property issues, development and management. Statsbygg is a management company under the Ministry of Renewal and Administration, but provides services and support to all ministries and state organs. Inside the wooden wall photo : Nina Reistad In 1998 the National Assembly decides that Statsbygg would be the building client for the new operahouse, responsible for planning and management. Statsbygg procure services in the private sector, but are responsible for professional coordination and quality control of the consultants, contractors and suppliers. The Norwegian Opera and Ballet is the building’s end user. They are Norway’s largest music and theatrical institution. Their core purpose is to be the national producer of opera, ballet, music and dance theatre, and concerts. They intend to have approx. 300 shows and 250,000 visitors per year. The Operahouse will be a workplace for approx. 600 employees from more than 50 professions. Norwegian Opera House + City Centre image : Statsbygg Architect: Snøhetta AS Oslo Opera House - More Information & Images Oslo Operahouse architects : Snøhetta Foyer ; Public restroom ; Stage 2 photos : Snøhetta Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Oslo - Building Information Gross area 38 500 m2 Public areas 11 200 m2 Stage areas 8 300 m2 Rehearsal rooms, workshops, admin. 19 100 m2 Footprint 15 590 m2 Length, incl. plaza 242 m Width 110 m Seats in Main auditorium 1 360 Seats in Second Auditorium 400 Gross stage height 54 m Depth of sub-stage below water level 16 m Project cost, todays price, ca. 500 mill. Euro The big auditorium image : Nicolas Buisson Architect Architect: Snøhetta AS, Oslo Landscape Architect: Snøhetta AS Interior Architect: Snøhetta AS Oslo Opera House Building : Background information Norwegian Opera House images / information from Snøhetta Mies van der Rohe Awards 2009