NORWAY Design, Music and Art Academy at Bergen
The new KMD designed by Snøhetta replaces the old Design and Art Academy at Bergen and physically gathers the buildings of the faculty previously separated and scattered. The new 14, 800 square meter university building is now the second biggest cultural building at Berger. The design is organized along two axes, an internal one, for students and staff, and an external one which is open to the public. Under a large skylight, these axes cross in a wide hall, the most important place of the faculty.
The external part of the design is covered with prefabricated aluminium panels which create a three-dimensional puzzle. 900 elements made of raw aluminium, seawater proof, with different heights, lengths and depths, are interrupted by overhanging spaces which dot the façade. The coast climate, which is sometimes stormy, needs that all the external materials must resist to difficult weather conditions and show their qualities over the time. As a matter of fact, the raw aluminium surfaces will oxidize over the time increasing the changes of colours and of texture.
Areas for the creative work were planned to be simple and functional, offices and social spaces are planned to let people work and relax together. Windows and overhanging spaces may also act as social spaces. This building respects environment, is sustainable and its geometries are simple.
