Akerselva Atrium | Peter Pran + Jonathan Ward of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, image courtesy of NBBJ | Photo by Peter Pran

Akerselva Atrium, image courtesy of NBBJ | Photo by Peter Pran

Peter Pran & Jonathan Ward of NBBJ recently has completed the Akerselva Atrium mixed-used building located along the Akerselva/Aker River in Oslo, Norway. The project composed of two distinct architectural forms split by the central lift core with a dramatic striking color glass atrium, where the entrance of the project is defined.

One part of the facade toward the river is in all glass, with a leaning out toward the river with its massing, giving panoramic views for the people working in the building – one feels suspended in space and feel a senstation of floating over the river.

Peter Pran of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, image courtesy of NBBJ | Photo by Erling Magnus Hjerman of Bambus Ark

+ Project description courtesy of Laura Ray of NBBJ

The NBBJ-designed Akerselva Atrium is a new 17,600 SM mixed-use project in the Akerselva neighborhood in downtown Oslo—a mere five-minute walk to the city’s opera, central train station and harbor. Surrounded by historical industrial, office and apartment buildings, it is among the first contemporary and innovative designs introduced to the area in recent years.

Akerselva Atrium, image courtesy of NBBJ | Photo by Jiri Havran

Akerselva Atrium, image courtesy of NBBJ | Photo by Peter Pran

As a site-specific project, the design anchors to the area’s existing architectural aesthetic, while the use of juxtaposed facades, materials and colors, enlivens the neighborhood with a new modern identity. The design also ties to the riverfront whenever possible:

• The all-metal curtain wall melds with the area’s predominantly metal and masonry buildings; its white-and-blue punched windows bring a modern interplay of color and shape.
• The west-facing all high-performance glass facade tilts 90 degrees to seemingly float above the river, providing staff with not only a panoramic views but a unique sensation of suspension above water.
• The inward-leaning atrium serves as the project’s primary entrance and is clearly marked by a dramatic 10-story leaning atrium comprised entirely of orange glass.
• The atrium defines a diagonal circulation path through the project, splitting it in two.
• At street level, a wide staircase offers the area’s only public access point to the riverside.

The top floors are occupied by NHST, the primary tenant and owner of Dagens Næringsliv, one of Norway’s top newspapers. The lower floors are occupied by Oslo Kommune/Oslo County and Eiendoms-og Byfornyelsesetaten/Property and City Renewal Department.

Akerselva Atrium, typical upper floor plan courtesy of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, SE Elevation courtesy of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, NW Elevation courtesy of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, NE Elevation courtesy of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, SW Elevation courtesy of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, front entry section 1 courtesy of NBBJ

Akerselva Atrium, front entry section 2 courtesy of NBBJ

+ Project credits / data

Project: Akerselva Atrium
Location: Downtown Oslo, Norway
Owner: Vital
Architect: NBBJ (London office) and Bambus Architects + Pran Architects (now Poulsson/Pran Architects)
Design principle in charge: Peter Pran, Jonathan Ward
Project designer and manager in charge: Martin Reeves
Interiors: Zinc Interiors
Developer: NCC Property Development
NCC Administrative directors: Adm. Dir.s Mona Ingebrigtsen, Stein Haugbro, Rolf Thorsen
Contractor: NCC Construction

+ All images and drawings courtesy of NBBJ | Photographers Jiri Havran, Erling Magnus Hjerman, Peter Pran

+ Click here to part 2 for more images, drawings and full project credits/data.