Stortingsgata 6 “Fokus Bank / The Danish Bank”
Stortingsgata 6, Oslo, Norway
Flanked by the nearby National Theatre and Parliament building, Stortingsgata 6 directly overlooks the Capital’s most prominent and important urban space. The two street-fronts adjoining the corner plot comprise a complete range of historical typologies, ranging from 19th Century classicism to modern and contemporary modes of architecture. From the outset, KJ-A sought to address this rich and varied palette.
A large portion of the existing building was retained and refurbished while a new eight-storey volume faces onto Stortingsgata. Its façade is bold and yet subtle. Ordered around externally expressed floor slabs and large expanses of clear and frosted glazing, it is highlighted by a fluctuating play of narrow, vertical timber ‘hooped’ elements. These elements refer directly to the classical language of architecture in their emphasis on the vertical and their overall composition. The combination of high-quality, lasting materials and contemporary detailing infuses the building with a clean, minimal and timeless expression appropriate to its context.
The project received an honourable mention in the Norwegian Government Building Award in 2006.
