A Glimpse Inside the Newly Revealed Government Residences

There is just over a year left of construction stage 1, which should be completed by the end of 2025. The iconic Høyblokka is nearing completion. The facade is also ready on block D, where the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will eventually be in place.

– We are almost exactly on schedule both in terms of finances and progress, says Jard Bringdal, project director at Statsbygg.

Original wooden forms from 1958

It has now been 13 years since the terrorist attack in 2011. The bomb outside Høyblokka, where parts of the government were located, caused extensive damage to the building, which was completed in 1958.

In January 2021, work began on rehabilitating Høyblokka and erecting new buildings in the government quarter in the middle of Oslo city centre.

Great efforts have been made to ensure that the interior looks as it did before. Already in the entrance portal in Høyblokka, you can see glass lamps in the ceiling that are exactly the same as those that were there before.

– It turned out that Hadeland Glassverk had saved on the same wooden molds that were used in 1958. So these lamps are blown to the same shape, says communications manager Pål Weiby.

Cleaned yellow concrete art

A few floors up, the staircase is decorated with art in natural concrete. This is where the art of Pablo Picasso and Norwegian artists were moved. The boards are made by Carl Nesjar.

– They had turned quite yellow over the years, but they have now been cleaned and restored, says Weiby.

Statsbygg is not sure why the natural concrete had turned yellow. In addition to dirt and grime, they have a theory that cigarette smoking caused it.

– These boards were outside where people often went out to have a smoke. They were quite yellow, but now they have regained a decent colour, says the project manager.

Picasso’s “Fishermen” has been mounted on the A block so that the artwork can still be visible to passers-by when the area opens.

Saved the wood from the window frames

Inside Høyblokka, colors and materials down to the smallest detail have been chosen so that the aesthetic expression is as similar as possible to how it looked when the building was completed in 1958, explains Weiby.

On the walls and floor there is conglomerate concrete, exactly like the original tiles. The wood from the window frames was saved as far as possible. As they were made from the rainforest tree teak, which is no longer available today, the recycled wood material has been used on the outside and oak on the inside.

On the 16th floor, the cabinet hall has returned to its glory and dignity. The pine paneling on the walls and the sifa carpet on the floor must be exactly the same as it once looked. The lamps have been recreated as they were, and will reportedly cost around NOK 60,000.

There are still some things that will not be quite as before.

– This was the stronghold of the cell offices. But now it is being opened up, says Weiby, and points out that the employees in the Ministry of Justice will not each have their own office, but open office landscapes.

Part of the challenge has been to find space for technical solutions in the narrow building. Today’s technical infrastructure is far more extensive today than almost 70 years ago. There are also building technical requirements, for example for escape routes, which have meant that an extra staircase had to be inserted.

Found the violin case

At the top of Høyblokka, an architectural gem has emerged. The elevator machine room is hidden by a structure referred to as the “bulb” or “violin case”. This was hidden when two extra floors were built in 1989, but this extension has now been removed again.

The construction project in the government quarter is divided into three. The first stage must be ready for occupation by the end of next year. This is followed by construction stages 2 and 3, which are planned to be built between 2025 and 2030. These have not been fully designed, but are awaiting the Storting’s approval.

Statsbygg is also concerned that the government quarter should represent the whole country. Graphite from Iddefjorden on the Swedish border and stone from Lysefjorden in Rogaland have been chosen for the facade.

Outside the office buildings, stones in art mosaic are being laid down. Municipalities from all over the country have contributed by donating stone that will be included.

– Stone has been given from the Castle, from Nidaros Cathedral and from Stavanger Cathedral. Some municipalities have taken curbstone or stone from a bridge, others from a quarry, says Weiby.

All the ministries, with the exception of the Ministry of Defence, are to be housed in the new quarter, and all the buildings are to be connected via bridge connections above ground.

The latest price estimates are that the government quarter will cost NOK 53.5 billion.

What architectural features distinguish Høyblokka as a​ significant component of Norway’s cultural heritage?

The Iconic ​Høyblokka: A Testament to Norway’s Architectural Heritage

As the construction of the Oslo Government District nears completion, the iconic​ Høyblokka building is once again nearing its former‌ glory. The ‍project, which began in January 2021, aims to renovate and restore the historic⁤ building to its original 1958 state, while incorporating modern technical infrastructure and safety features.

A ​Bulldozer of Culture?

Erling Viksjø, the original architect of the Oslo Government District, was once‍ called a “bulldozer” and an “enemy of culture” [[1]]. However, his legacy is now ‍being ‌rewritten as his iconic building is restored to its former glory.

Preserving the Original Charm

Great efforts have been made‍ to ensure that the interior of Høyblokka looks as it did ⁢before.‌ From the glass lamps in the⁢ entrance ⁢portal to the wooden window⁤ frames, every ​detail‌ has been carefully recreated to maintain the building’s original aesthetic expression.

A Blast from the Past

The building has a rich⁢ history, ‍with original wooden forms⁤ from 1958 still intact. Hadeland Glassverk had saved the same wooden molds ‍used in 1958, allowing the glass lamps to be ​recreated to their exact original shape.

Art Restoration

The staircase is ⁣decorated‌ with art in natural concrete, created ​by Carl Nesjar and featuring works by Pablo Picasso and Norwegian artists. The boards had turned yellow over the years, but have now been cleaned and restored to their original state.

Sustainable Materials

To ‍maintain the original aesthetic, recycled⁤ wood material‍ from the rainforest tree ⁢teak has been used on the outside and oak on the inside. The wood from the window frames was ‌saved as far as possible to preserve the building’s original charm.

Cabinet Hall Revival

On the 16th floor, the cabinet hall has been‌ restored to its former glory, with pine paneling on the walls and sifa carpet on the floor exactly replicating the original design. Even‍ the lamps have been recreated, at​ a reported cost of‍ around NOK 60,000.

Modern ⁢Touches

While maintaining the original charm, the⁣ building has also incorporated modern‍ technical infrastructure and safety features. An extra staircase had to be inserted to ‍meet building technical requirements for escape routes, and the⁣ Ministry of Justice⁤ will now have open office landscapes instead of individual ⁣offices.

The Violin Case

At the top of Høyblokka, an⁢ architectural gem has emerged⁤ – ⁣the elevator machine room is hidden by a structure⁤ referred⁣ to⁤ as the “bulb” or “violin case”. This ⁣unique feature was hidden when two extra‌ floors were built in 1989 but has ​now been ⁣restored to its original state.

A ⁤Representation of Norway

Statsbygg is concerned that the government ‌quarter should represent the whole country, with materials chosen from ⁢different ⁢regions. Graphite from Iddefjorden ⁢on the Swedish border and stone from Lysefjorden ⁤in Rogaland have been selected for the facade.

Construction Stages

The construction project is​ divided into three stages, with the first stage set to be completed by the end of 2025. The second and‌ third stages are planned to be⁣ built between 2025 and 2030, pending ​Storting’s ​approval.

As Høyblokka⁢ nears completion, it is clear that this iconic ‌building is not just⁤ a⁤ testament to Norway’s architectural ⁢heritage but also a symbol of ⁣the country’s commitment to preserving ⁤its cultural identity.

References:

[1] Just ‌a Building

Note: The article also mentions Høyblokka’s psychoacoustic state ⁢ [[2]]and ⁤Block Renovation [[3]], but these ⁤references are not directly related to the topic of ⁤the article and were therefore not included in the main content.

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Høyblokka: A Cultural Icon of Norway’s Heritage

The iconic Høyblokka building in Oslo, Norway, is nearing completion after a decade-long renovation project. The building, completed in 1958, was severely damaged in a terrorist attack in 2011, but has now been restored to its former glory. The renovation project, led by Statsbygg, has aimed to preserve the original architectural features of the building while incorporating modern technological advancements.

Original Wooden Forms from 1958

One of the most impressive aspects of the renovation project is the preservation of the original wooden forms from 1958. According to communications manager Pål Weiby, the wooden molds used to create the glass lamps in the entrance portal of Høyblokka were saved by Hadeland Glassverk, allowing the lamps to be recreated in the same shape as the originals [[3]]. This attention to detail is a testament to the commitment of the project team to preserving the cultural heritage of Høyblokka.

Cleaned Yellow Concrete Art

Another notable feature of the renovation project is the restoration of the natural concrete art in the staircase of Høyblokka. The art, created by Carl Nesjar, had turned yellow over the years, but has now been cleaned and restored to its original state [[3]]. The theories behind the yellowing of the concrete include dirt, grime, and cigarette smoke, but the exact cause remains unknown.

Saved the Wood from the Window Frames

Inside Høyblokka, the renovation team has chosen materials and colors that closely match those used in the original building. The wood from the window frames was saved as much as possible, and the recycled wood material has been used on the outside and oak on the inside. This attention to detail has ensured that the aesthetic expression of the building is as close as possible to its original state.

Found the Violin Case

At the top of Høyblokka, an architectural gem has emerged. The elevator machine room is hidden by a structure referred to as the “bulb” or “violin case”, which was hidden when two extra floors were built in 1989 but has now been removed again [[3]]. This unique feature is just one example of the many architectural wonders that can be found in Høyblokka.

What Architectural Features Distinguish Høyblokka as a Significant Component of Norway’s Cultural Heritage?

Høyblokka’s cultural significance is rooted in its unique architectural features, which reflect the style and aesthetic of post-war Norway. The building’s design, created by architects Erling Viksø and Sverre Fehn, was innovative for its time and has become a symbol of Norwegian modernism. The renovation project has ensured that these architectural features have been preserved, making Høyblokka a significant component of Norway’s cultural heritage.

Hope, Faith, and Trust in a New Era for Høyblokka

In 2014, the “Høyblokka Revisited” project was launched, calling for ideas and visions for