Young Swedish architects, HULTMANMAGNUSSON, won the competition to design a new mining museum in Jøssingfjord, Norway, a city famous for its long history of mining and excavation of Titanium powder, used for white color pigment. Located in the valley of the beautiful fjord, the 2000 m2 museum will exhibit the history, geology and technology of the area, together with temporary exhibitions. Their proposal was called Varde, meaning a manmade pile of stones common in this area of Norway. By using natures own material and arranging it a new shape, an important place is marked in the landscape.More images and architects’ description after the break.
The new building, called Jøssingfjordsenteret, is attached to an existing power station in one end making it a part of the exhibition. The building stretches out 110 meters towards the ocean, finishing with a panorama view café.
The winning proposal was selected by a unanimous jury, consisting of representatives from the four inviting communities and architects appointed by the Norwegian architectural association. The jury report states that; ”The project has what it takes to give Jøssingfjord a new beginning, it’s open, attracting, and functions as a catalyst for the program and the site… here the materials, uniqueness of the site, light and changes of the seasons will play important parts in a new scenery.”
The placement as an extension of the power station amplifies the direction of the valley and creates a whole. “In a way it seems as if the building has always been there, but at the same time it’s innovative and sublime and is a clear and elegant solution to the given situation” comments the jury. “The museum will be placed in a spectacular landscape. Our aim is to create interesting relations between the four themes of the exhibition and the surrounding landscape. In order to do so we wrap a transition layer around them creating different connections, direct and indirect, and various relations to the landscape” says Erik Magnusson.
“The exhibition rooms are all placed at different levels in a central core. Ramps connect the levels and create a path, lingering around the core. Along the path there are niches for a pause looking out to the landscape, and openings into rooms on other levels further down the path. This creates an exhibition where the different themes and the landscape are woven into each other” explains Gustav Hultman.
“A mining elevator takes the visitor to the top of the exhibition. You then stroll down the path, crossing or passing different exhibitions, ending up in the café with the view over the ocean. This system of different levels and the concept of concealing/revealing create an active and explorative museum experience; you never know what’s next!”
The museum is expected to open to the public in 2015.
Architect: HULTMANMAGNUSSON Location: Jøssingfjord, Norway Project: Jøssingfjordsenteret (Mining Museum) Client: The communities of Eigersund, Sokndal, Bjerkreim and Lund Size: 2,000 sqm
