‘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.

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science centerview 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.

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center view of museum within the landscape

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center site as it stands today

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center aerial view of ground level

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center aerial view of first level

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center aerial view with roof

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center model within site context

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center model

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center model illuminated

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center model illuminated

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center model illuminated

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center ground level detail

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center entrance detail

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center vicinity map

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center existing site

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science centerfloor plan / level 0

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science centerfloor plan / level 1

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center section

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center section

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center site outline diagram

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center nine volumes diagram

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center two stories diagram

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center building area diagram

COBE architects + transform: porsgrunn maritime museum and science center 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