Comments on: Munch museum and Deichman library competition winners

By: M.O. Tundra

M.O. Tundra — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:23:01 +0000

A fair first prize.

The implementation is much more sophisticated than the rest of the contestants. A blurred piece, in height, perpendicular to the bay is a great success.

And programmatically is visionary. A museum developed in vertical is a more contemporary concept and therefore more appropriate.

The system of public spaces generated, in close relation with the building of the Opera, is a gift to the city of Oslo.

Anyway, I do not know which campaign is out there to discredit this project. We should be thinking about the citizens of Oslo and not in professional rivalries and commercial ambitions.

PS. Rex´s project blocks the view of the Opera and does not contribute to the visible image from the fiord that the city needs.

By: Rolf

Rolf — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:35:03 +0000

I just want to congratulate JUAN HERREROS and his invaluable team for LAMBDA project that is not only the A.M.A.Z.I.N.G Munch museum, but the housing and public space environment around it. It is really emotional to observe how Herreros -despite it is a constant in his work- respects in this project the quality of space provided to citizens, the relevancy of others architectural works in the area and the deference to Oslo’s natural environment. The museum is absolutely sensitive, delicate and its vertical layout new and contemporary. The project provides two huge islands and respects the natural edges of the fjord without blocking its access to the sea. These virtues must be reinforced by the fact that the Museum, due to its verticality and its obviously studied position in the architectural body, honours the view of the Opera, which will maintain, after the elevation of the museum, the central role it deserves.

The above can not be said of Rex Project, second prize of the competition. REX is proposing a project, that will all respects, is not suitable for a country as Norway. The Munch museum conceived by REX shows the architecture of a shopping mall in Acapulco, ostentatious, surely commercial and with a strong lack of sensitivity, unfortunately a very long distance from the elegant austerity of Norway architecture. The invasion of the fjord shows, as well, a lack of understanding of the relationship that Norwegians have always had with the scenical nature that surrounds them and, of course, do not manifest any esteem for the Snøhetta’s opera building.

My respects, again, to Juan Herreros. It is exciting to see his understanding of this country and of its more renowned Norwegian artist.

By: enieto

enieto — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:08:44 +0000

I think the winner project is the best option for this place. Obviously this has been also the very best project for the jury, composed of intelligent people and of course very concerned with this kind of issues. The vertical museum they propose can be the quiet place to enjoy Munch work and at the same time the beautiful Oslo. Congratulations for the Oslo citizens and for the project team. Willing to see it soon !!!

By: Juanjo G. Castellon

Juanjo G. Castellon — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:37:30 +0000

With all my respects to all of the opinions, one thing is clear: A building makes sense when is constructed. A good idea, a smart diagram, a suggestive form or a “well-produced” render are not enough. Behind all this, it’s a must to have an architect able to manage and build the project. This fact requires skills that are only visible on site, in a real building. I invite you to visit the candidates works. Juan Herreros solvency is out of discussion and he has the capability to make a good building, wich at the end is what every city needs. I guess the jury probably agrees … Actions speak louder.

By: JØSEP

JØSEP — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:39:07 +0000

Its good to see a city that is looking for something more that a image. The vertical museum of the winning entry by Herreros is a new and radical concept for museums that incorporates its density in a balace relation between the closest new public space arround and farest landscape of the fiordo.
I hope we see this intriguing ice cube built soon!

By: FiloAtlas

FiloAtlas — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:39:51 +0000

Finally an intelligent, poetical and innovative architecture finds a place between so many banal and antiquated projects.
Congratulations to the winner. Is the best project.

By: Ola normann

Ola normann — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 11:11:26 +0000

I feel embarrass to be a Norwegian in this case, I agree to all of you that argument that this is dirty. It was several architects in this competition hum deservd to win more then the 2 winners. S sorry to the world for bringing this shitt in to it!

By: Ole P.

Ole P. — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:51:37 +0000

Marcos, I totally agree with you on the Munch museum winner. I would say it is one of the worst entries. Not necessarily aesthetically, although there’s nothing with it that would make you think of a museum, rather a hotel/shopping mall, but as you say, it doesn’t even try to connect to the city in urbanistic terms. The jury actually said that Lambda did this better than any of the other projects, which is utter nonsense. The circulation concept is terrible (or rather, completely absent), the lobby is a dull and way too large open space, the main entrance does not at all welcome visitors, and the glass facade is just plain stupid in terms of sustainability and interior climate control.

Now, it’s up to the city council to decide which entry will be built. Normally, I believe very strongly that a jury verdict should be respected, which has way too often not been the case in Oslo, but in this instance I hope the politicians settle for something better. Like you said, Marcos, the REX project was pretty good, although my personal favorites were the Norwegian architects Ghilardi+Helsten’s MSK. An elaborate, site sensitive and progressive project (and to add to that, it’s a fairly small office).

Finally, the jury have of course chosen the projects they thought were the best. As in all architecture competitions the entries were anonymous, so they had no idea they chose Scandinavian firms. I think it’s great, however, that so many young Scandinavian practices are creating great architecture!

PDFs of all projects here: http://haveiendom.no/filestore/uppdateringar__og__mars/MUNCH.pdf , and here: http://haveiendom.no/filestore/Projectdecription_deichman_munch__mars_/Projectdescriptions-Deichman.pdf

By: marcos

marcos — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:10:25 +0000

Then for the Library is quite strange to invite so many international firms and then choose just scandinavian firms. Is just because the organization wants to advertise themselves and after that make just the local interests?

By: marcos

marcos — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:05:19 +0000

I saw the exhibition of all the participant projects last week in Oslo. I like the Herreros’s work in general, but this project is so bad. Rex’s project was so good for the site: in the opposite to the Opera site was working so well for the rest of the city and the idea to have different room was so nice. This winner project is definitly in the urban level too simplicistic. Is not working with the site at all. Why juries are always so bad? I suggest a competition for choose the jury’s member at first!