The office of NBBJ designed the atrium Akerselva, a new project of 17,600 m2 mixed-use area Akerselva in downtown Oslo, just a five minute walk to central train station and port. Surrounded by a historically industrial, office and apartment buildings, is one of the first contemporary and innovative designs introduced to the area in recent years. As a project in a specific location, the design is anchored to the existing architectural and aesthetic zone, while the use of juxtaposed facades, materials and colors, bring life to the area with a new modern identity.
The design is also linked to the river whenever possible: The curtain wall of metal fuses with the metal most of the area and buildings of masonry, windows, white and blue punch delivered to a modern game design color and shape. The west facade of glass is tilted 90 degrees to look like floating on the river, providing not only personal views, but a unique feeling of suspension above the water.
The interior atrium serves as the main entrance to the project and is clearly marked by a spectacular 10-storey gallery composed entirely of orange glass. The court defines a diagonal flow path through the project, dividing it into two. At street level, a sweeping staircase provides the only publicly accessible area indicating the riverbank.
The top floors are occupied by NHST, the primary tenant and the owner of N Dagens æ ringsliv, one of the most prestigious newspapers in Norway. The lower floors are occupied by Oslo Kommune / County and Oslo-og Eiendom Byfornyelsesetaten / Property Department and the Town Renewal.
