The Operahuset stands like an iceberg on the Oslo Fjord
Hi Everyone!
I joined the Hive a week ago and was really excited when I discovered the cc/ Architecture + Design. I own a Scandinavian Design store & I’m a fanatic of Modern Scandinavian Architecture & Design.
The Oslo Opera House is definitely my favourite building and sharing it with you is a perfect fit for my first post.
Every time I visit Oslo (unfortunately not as often as I wished) I have to explore this stunning building from every angle. Discovering something new each time.
The clean lines and choice of materials Like white Carrara marble, Aluminum framing kept at a minimum and large glass panels make it blend perfectly well with the surrounding environment, in particular during the long winter months.
The gently slopped roof takes you to some spectacular panoramic views
The building stands like a white iceberg in the shores of the Oslo Fjord and you can slowly walk uo to the top of the iceberg using the pleasantly sloped Carrara marble roof while contemplating panoramic views of the city & fjord. In the winter (pictures were taken during my last visit in January) the light is incredible, even in an overcast day. If you’re lucky you can admire magnificent sunrises & sunsets from the top of the Opera Huset.
She lies by Monica Bonvicini
If you stay there long enough you can see the floating sculpture “She Lies” by Monica Bonvicini, move with the tide and offer different perspectives and reflections. Simply Stunning!
The Norwegian Architecture firm Snøhetta who Designed the building thought of every detail. On a rainy day water pours down the gentle roof slope and reflects the white marble cristals like a stream of melting ice. But the interior of the building is were you can really admire the full extend of their attention to detail.
Stairway to the Theater and Slatted wooden wall
The use of natural materials and wood in particular is the trademark of Scandinavian architecture, along with soft lines. The waving wooden wall in the foyer of the Opera Huset is pure Scandinavian Design and it's just out of this world!!! Soft lines and curves wave in perfect harmony but when you get closer you realize that every single slat of wood is different in thickness and in geometrical shape. The illusion from a distance is of very soft and curvy lines but in fact it's a combination of very sharp and geometrical pieces of wood.
A Close-up view of the waved wall
In keep with the Iceberg theme, another spectacular feature of the foyer is this wall designed by Icelandic/Danish Artist Olafur Eliasson. It was created to hide the rood supports but like everything Scandinavian it’s functional and beautiful at the same time. It’s trellis structure with opaque openings like droplets that get bigger and bigger towards the ceiling is illuminated from the bottom to create the illusion of ice melting. Again once you get closer you will discover a myriad of tridimensional forms. It's all in the details.
Olafur Eliasson illuminated wall.
Finally I’ll leave you with a picture of myself contemplating the panoramic views from the edge of roof top. Those are perfect little moments when all your problems melt & wash away like ice on an iceberg
Hope you enjoyed my first post, your comments and advice on how to improve are much appreciated and I'm looking forward to read all your comments.
Have a wonderful day!!!