Posts Tagged Architecture
Modern architecture in Fredikstad
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on February 26, 2010
Fredrikstad Town Hall and Cinema
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 26, 2010
Designed by award-winning architect firm L2 Arkitekter AS, the people behind the Oljemuseet in Stavanger and Tønsberg Library among other projects, the Fredrikstad Town Hall and Cinema complex was completed in 2002. The building, which houses a 6-screen cinema in the basement and ground floor, and 310 office spaces on the floors above, covers an area of 15,000 square meters, and cost 257 million kroner to build. The main entrance, just off Nygaardsgate, the main pedestrian street, overlooks the cathedral and the park that surrounds it. Features of note include the angular clocktower and the striking facade, with its huge door, off-white columns and copper panels.
Østfold in Pictures: Gamlebyen’s drawbridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on February 3, 2010
Focus on Gamlebyen: The drawbridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 3, 2010
The drawbridge, at the entrance to the Old Town, is the first thing visitors see on approaching Gamlebyen. As many as 30 soldiers were once required to raise the bridge at dusk and lower it at dawn. Anyone arriving after the bridge had been drawn would have to wait until the next day to get into the town. The bridge is still there, but because it’s built of wood it has burned down and been rebuilt many times. Today it’s a popular spot with locals, who come here to feed the ducks in summer, and take sunset pictures in winter. The guardhouse outside the bridge has been converted into a glassblower’s cabin. A selection of hand-blown glassware is on display – on certain days during the holidays you can even see the glassmith at work.
Østfold in Pictures: The Fredrikstad Bridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on January 16, 2010
The Fredrikstad Bridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture on January 16, 2010
Dominating the landscape on the eastern side of the city, the Fredrikstad Bridge, with its distinctive arch, has become a landmark for Fredrikstad. The silver bow-shaped bridge, which was opened in August 1957, is also a vital link between the Old Town and the new one. Spanning the Glomma about 2km from where the river meets the Oslo fjord, the bridge is an impressive 824m long and 40m tall.
In mars 2004 a 2.5m ’suicide fence’ was affixed to the bridge. Up to 3 people every year used to take their lives by jumping from the bridge, and it is believed that many more have tried. The fence, which stretches 400m down on each side of the bridge, was an attempt to put a stop to these sad statistics.
The bridge is part of the technical heritage of Norway, and as such was listed by the Riksantikvaren (Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway) in 2008, together with the roundabout on the east side – the first roundabout in Norway to acquire this status.
You can see old black-and-white photos of the bridge being built here www.demokraten.no/bildeserier/article2923408.ece
Østfold in Pictures: Kvernhuset School, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on January 2, 2010
Modern architecture in Østfold
Posted by admin in History and architecture on January 2, 2010
Norwegian architects have been recognized in recent years for their innovative projects both at home and abroad. There is no shortage of interesting buildings to see in Norway if you’re interested in modern architecture (the new Oslo opera probably being the most famous of them all), but there are some little gems to be found in Østfold too. Here are some of them:
- Svinesund Bridge: Opened in 2005, the bridge crosses the Iddefjord at the border between Norway and Sweden on the E6. Built in concrete and steel, the bridge is 30m at its highest point, and spans a single arch of 247m. Some 16,000 cars cross the bridge every day.
- Østfold University College, Remmen, Halden: Also completed in 2005, the college cost 670 million Norwegian crowns and took two years to build. The entry hall of the main building, named after famous local explorer Roald Amundsen is quite striking, sticking out over the campus car park. It houses the rector and director’s offices. Glass, concrete and wood were the main materials used.
- F-b building, Fredrikstad: The local newspaper’s head offices, on the corner of Stortorvet, boast a striking facade in Chinese granite, glass and aluminium, and a sun-screening system with glass plates that automatically adjusts according to the weather and wind.
- Møllerbyen, Moss: Møllerbyen (The Mill Town), a former industrial area with water mills. Møllerbyen received the Statens byggeskikkpris (one of the most highly regarded architectural prizes in Norway) i 2003 for its work revitalising and renewing the historical district. Today it’s home to the local library, a cinema, a micro brewery, a museum and a lot more. www.mollebyen.no
- Kvernhuset School, Veum, Fredrikstad: Blending in with the pine forest that surrounds it, this environment-friendly school was presented at the International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2000. It also won the ØkoByggs Miljøpris (Norway’s Environmental Building prize) the same year.
Østfold in Pictures: Råde Church
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on December 5, 2009
Top 5: Churches in Østfold
Posted by admin in History and architecture on December 5, 2009
There are many churches scattered all over Østfold, many of them in Indre-Østfold. Some have a rich history going back centuries, others are more interesting from an architectural point of view. Picking the ‘best’ ones is bound to be subjective, but here are in any case a few that are well worth a look. Please bear in mind that churches in Norway are usually closed to the public, so take contact with the individual churches if you wish to view the interiors.
- Hvaler: The archipelago’s main church, and possibly the oldest church in the whole of Norway. Storveien 12, Skjærhalden. (Tel: 69 37 90 37)
- Rygge: A fine example of a well-preserved medieval church in Østfold. About 3km from Halmstad, direction Larkollen. There are signs for the church from Rv 118 towards Moss and Rv 119 from Moss to Larkollen. (Tel: 69 26 44 85)
- Eidsberg: Known as Østfold cathedral because of its impressive size, it also enjoys a beautiful location. Rv 124, approximately 7km south of Mysen centre, direction Rakkestad. (Tel: 69 70 22 61)
- Hobøl: One of Norway’s best preserved medieval churches, built in granite in Romanesque style at the end of the 12th century. (Tel: 69 92 16 40)
- Rømskog: On the eastern side of Rømsjøen, this church is entirely built in red timber. The original building from 1799 was extended and extensively restored in the 1950s. Signposted from Rv 21 at lake Rømsjøen (Tel: 69 85 91 77 or 93 23 88 60)