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