Existing buildings and the built environment represent important resources for society. Maintaining and developing this resource is crucial both for a sustainable use of resources as well as for preservation of important cultural history.

Existing buildings are not limited to buildings that are important for the preservation of cultural heritage. Any new building will immediately become an existing building which then needs to be maintained and developed. Making reuse possible is therefore also an important aspect of the design of new buildings.

A focus on architectural and cultural history is often synonymous with a focus on details, facades and architecture as object. However, the great diversity of spatiality in the history of architecture is equally important, and is at the core of the focus on spatiality of this course.

The specific design task in this course is to incorporate new use in the 4600 sqm locomotive plant situated in Middelalderparken in Oslo. This is a big industrial building in brick completed in the late 19th century. The building has now lost its original function and is currently in use for various small workshops and offices in the middle of the park.

The students will through measurements, registrations and analysis get to know the building well. Students will also draft the building, its space and study the various architectural elements’ contributions to overall spatiality.

Parallel to this, students will conduct analyses of relevant buildings and periods in the history of architecture. With this knowledge students will further develop the spatiality of the locomotive plant with new interventions.

Course teacher: Tor Olav Austigard
Other teacher: Kjetil Sæterdal