COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center


'porsgrunn maritime museum and science center' by COBE architects + transform, porsgrunn, norway
all images courtesy COBE architects + transform


construction for the 'porsgrunn maritime museum and science center' in norway by copenhagen and berlin-based 
practice COBE architects and danish firm transform has just begun. dedicated to the history of shipping which led to the 
development of the encompassing industrial region, the structure overlooks a river which was also used for the process. 
showing sensitivity to the quaint scale of the existing buildings, the square footprint is subdivided into nine volumes. 
a series of pitched roofs oriented in diverse directions and heights cap each of the units. an aluminum facade wraps 
the exterior to define the angles while responding to the continuously changing light and color conditions of the sky and water.


view of the museum and promenade overlooking the river

a promenade guides visitors to the interior's public functions which are arranged on the ground floor. a central stair leads away 
from the multifunctional space and into the enclosed exhibitions of the first level. the ceilings range in height to create
clearly defined exhibits on smaller or larger collections but is flexible to unite the area showing the full extents of the white box.


view of museum within the landscape


site as it stands today


aerial view of ground level


aerial view of first level


aerial view with roof


model within site context


model


model illuminated


model illuminated


model illuminated


ground level detail


entrance detail


vicinity map


existing site


floor plan / level 0


floor plan / level 1


section


section

site outline diagram

nine volumes diagram


two stories diagram


building area diagram


museum in context diagram

project info:

location: porsgrunn, southern norway 
client: telemark museum 
program: maritime museum and science center 
size: 1,700 m² 
status: 1st prize 2009, design development started october 2009, completion 2011 
collaborators: transform, sveco