Kunstsilo

Kristiansand, Norway

Information about the reference project

Type of building:	Education and Culture
Series:	AWS 90 BR, AWS 70.HI, AWS 50.NI, ASE 80.HI, FWS 50
Location:	Kristiansand, Norway
Completion:	2021
Architects:	Backe Sør AS,Mestres Wåge Arkitekter AS
Specialist company:	NorDan Rubicon AS
Picture credits:	© alanwilliamsphotography.com

From agriculture to art: Revitalising a silo

The Kunstsilo in Kristiansand demonstrates how the respectful conversion of a historic industrial building can create a new cultural space that both preserves the past and also provides a modern setting for the art of today.

Silo becomes a museum
The Kunstsilo represents a successful transformation of a former grain silo into a modern art centre. Due to its striking appearance, it is considered to be the most spectacular museum building in Scandinavia. In cooperation with Mendoza Partida and BAX Studio, architectural practice Mestres Wåge has carefully revitalised the listed building and created a piece of architecture that is unique in its spatial experience and shape. The former silo was converted into a huge, open hall with a height of around 20 metres.

Building envelope reinterpreted
The design of the Kunstsilo is a prime example of adaptive reuse. Instead of concealing the industrial features of the silo, they were emphasised using contemporary procedures. For example, the architects decided to place a perforated aluminium skin over the original concrete structure, which not only allows the shape of the old building to be newly interpreted, but also channels daylight into the interior spaces in an interesting way.

Sacred-looking interior
The building is encompassed by three storeys of open galleries, which are not only used for temporary exhibitions, but also open up various optical axes through the building. This arrangement promotes a flowing spatial experience and allows visitors to experience the building from different perspectives. The glazed roof storey, where the characteristic silo cylinders are easily recognisable, offers a spectacular view.

Product information

AWS 70.HI

Highly thermally insulated window system with attractive range of solutions

As part of the Schüco AWS system platform, Schüco AWS 70.HI (High Insulation) offers an attractive range of solutions with outstanding thermal insulation for the 70 mm basic depth.

It is based on the functional, energy-efficiency and design properties of the aluminium construction: perfectly tailored components combine benefits such as excellent thermal insulation values, narrow face widths and concealed, standard manual or electromechanical fittings for inward and outward-opening windows.

The high level of flexibility of the system enables a variety of uses to meet a range of different building envelope requirements: as a punched opening, ribbon window or façade insert unit, as well as in combination with Schüco door systems.

The latest generation of highly thermally insulated sliding and lift-and-slide systems

Barrier-free, very easy to use and a slimline appearance – the high-insulation Schüco ASE 80.HI (High Insulated) sliding and lift-and-slide system offers elegant design solutions for sustainable, user-oriented architecture to passive house level.

The modular and scalable aluminium profile system captivates with the reduced DesignLine interlock section of the vents, which allows the frame units to visually recede into the background.

The level threshold allows the inside and outside areas to transition into one another harmoniously and without barriers.

High-performance mullion/transom façade with 50 mm face width – the basis for a variety of solutions

The Schüco FWS 50 façade system is an impressive basic system for façades and skylight areas with a high level of flexibility and attractive design options, including optimised fabrication and installation processes. Thanks to a broad system range, solutions for the most varied requirements and applications can be implemented.

A transparent system solution integrated in the profile for spandrel safety barriers blends seamlessly and elegantly into the external façade appearance.