DogA

I spent the afternoon exploring DogA, Norsk Design og Arkitektursenter (The Norwegian Design and Architecture Centre). http://doga.no/
Originally a transformer station, the building at Hausmanns gate consists of several combined buildings (constructed in 1898, 1917, 1948). Now, the building is a meeting place for design and architecture. There is office space, a cafe & restaurant, exhibition space, meeting rooms, and a shop. I visited this project in the fall but decided to return with my list of questions, mainly: What has made this building adaptable? Here's what I found:

Structure that can be added to and taken away from (taken away here, added to below)


The new steel structure follows the pre-existing concrete structural grid.

Skin that can be added to.


Volume of spaces that allow for a variety of spatial solutions. And serious structure that can be supplemented if necessary.

Choice of materials. This brick has been added to over time. Lack of preciousness here.

This is a reflected ceiling plan in photograph form. Lighting has been simply inserted between the concrete structure.


Location. This collection of buildings is located close to downtown Oslo, adjacent to the river and a pedestrian path.
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Whole building volumes that can be added to.

And I just think this giant door is really nice.