The excitement about the new Opera House has just started to wear off before Oslo is planning a new project. On June 13, the winner of the competition for designing the new central station was announced. There were four strong competitors, but finally it was the Norwegian architect firm, Space Group, which got the honour of giving its touch to the capital skyline.
The design from Space Group involves demolishing a big part of the existing station and expanding it to almost twice its size. The new station hall will be four floors tall, where the two top floors will host offices. A U-shaped building will be placed next to the station and the premises will consist of Norway’s biggest conference hotel. The team has also suggested a crystal shaped building, facing the shopping street Karl Johan, where, among other things, the new tourist information office will be.
The Central Station in Oslo has today about 150,000 travellers every day. It is expected that this number will double in the next few years. The existing station has been expanded in stages and does therefore not work as well as it could. One hopes that the improved version of the Central Station will be big and function well enough for the years to come, so that further expansions will not be necessary.
It is expected that the construction of the new Oslo Central Station will begin in 2013 and will take between five to ten years to complete. The reconstruction will take place in stages so that the station will not have to close.
Article lifted from Norwegian Embassy news. All photos from Space Group (visit their site for more stunning renderings).
WOW, that was an effin’ high class, eh? Truly the structure is really kewl, I liked it. European architects really hasd tht classy styel when ti comes to arts and creation. Errr.
I always having a glance of it, by watching DWTV –> this features a lot of good views across the European region.
Looks gorgeous and its great that you got the scoop on this. I haven’t even seen it on the news, of course I haven’t seen much norwegian news on vacation. My only negative thought is who is going to pay for this…of course the short answer is we are, but as a social worker dealing all the time with “the system” and a housing shortage in Oslo…well I sometimes wonder where their priorities are.
Sounds like a great project and of course needed as the place right now is a disgrace compared to the new opera house.
Thanks for digging out this news and to share!
Wishing you a great end to your week!
wow, that’s a real beauty. love it.
Hey dazedblu! I think I would still prefer the grand old-world look of train stations (but we don’t have that here in Oslo), but this is also a good change for the capital.
Hey dianeca! I saw it on the papers last week but none has leaked into broadcast media. Well, it’s us the taxpayers who will have to fund this project I agree. I am not privy to the status quo of housing in Oslo so thanks for opening my eyes about it.
Hey Renny! I was up at Steinkjer for a long weekend and that was a respite from the citylife. The city council is really developing the area, with the Munch Museum and the National Library moving into the harbour area too. Have a great week ahead!
Hey Reyville, ain’t it? Thanks for visiting!
wow, another nice addition. now, i cant wait to have my architectural tour there. hahaha…i wonder when pinas will have such projects…hohum.
I’ll tour you around, yed. Promise!!!