Book and Blues House / 2010

In collaboration with Danish design studio Mencke & Vagnby I have designed a new Book and Blues House in the Norwegian city of Notodden.

The key functions of the house were library, museum, cinema, music school and a café. The functionality determined the organization of the house in three stories. At ground level the noisy and extrovert functions were located like a café and stages for blues music and the idea was that the facades could open and expand the area during summer time. Above there and around an inside atrium five hanging stones were placed – each containing functionalities which did not need natural day light like two cinemas. The five stones gave in addition the primary effect as a culture house with a very unique experience of the light coming out between the gaps during evening and night. On top of the stones connected by bridges the museum was located with a great view over the fjord and away from the music at ground level.

All the functionalities have their own area, but they are all located close to each other in a very united house around the atmosphere of books and blues and with a spectacular view over the fjord.