Bergen, Norway
After winning an international competition, Henning Larsen Architects expand the city’s creative and natural landscape with their new A-class performing arts center, exhibition space, and a large green plaza that becomes an intimate community space that will combine city, culture and nature.
The project aims to create a cultural hub, enhancing the artistic essence of the city while safeguarding the rich identity of the original building.
“We are so proud to have won this prestigious design competition. Grieg Quarter will anchor Bergen’s position as a modern and ambitious city of culture,” says Kasper Kyndesen, Partner and Design Director, Norway, Henning Larsen Architects.
“By creating the framework for a setting where the city is invited into the space to enjoy the familiar and the new, the arts center will unlock huge cultural potential for Bergen and Grieg Quarter,” he adds.
The new concert hall will promote free movement, exploration, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
It symbolizes a collective endeavor to boost the appeal of urban areas and drive urban development, enriching the city’s cultural landscape and elevating the allure of its downtown core.
The lobby seamlessly integrates into the urban environment by providing dual access points: retaining access through the existing entrance on the first floor of Grieghallen and introducing a new entrance from Edward Grieg Square, fostering fresh connections with the city.
A sunlit café along Strømgaten, paired with a sheltered outdoor area, will create an inviting ambiance.
Beneath the northern extension of the Plaza, new exhibition spaces spanning 3,570 square meters will offer a dynamic platform for cultural exploration and engagement.
Next to the communal spaces, there will be a flexible rehearsal room designed not only for rehearsals but also for various other purposes, converting into a space for performances, conferences, and events.
Mirroring the dimensions of the main stage at 16×16 meters and featuring a telescopic amphitheater, the room will accommodate up to 140 seats.
Embracing its proximity to the mountains and water, the Grieg Quarter’s open-air plaza will showcase local wildlife and implement a water management plan aimed at nurturing local ecosystems while catering to the needs of daily visitors.
The plaza is envisioned as a dynamic landscape, featuring undulating contours that juxtapose the existing building’s straight and angular lines.
Extending the existing pavement to the facade forms a welcoming carpet, seamlessly blending culture and urban vibrancy.
Project: Kontrapunkt – New Performing Arts Center
Architects: Henning Larsen Architects
Lead Architect: Kasper Kyndesen
MEP Engineers: Rambøll
Client: Musikkselskapet Harmonien
Renderings: KVANT-1
