MMW architects: shipping container art gallery

‘GAD’ by MMW architects in tjuvholmen, norway all images courtesy MMW architects image © eirike førde

‘GAD’ by oslo-based practice MMW architects is a temporary art gallery constructed out of shipping containers in tjuvholmen, norway. conceived to be easily disassembled and reassembled in mere days, the design utilizes the pre-fab nature of the urban material to create a multi-level public facility.

on site image © eirike førde

extroverted and clear in its construction, the exterior of the gallery is read as a stacked composition of shipping containers with a substantial cantilever off the base. the main ground floor gallery space consists of five units that together create one large area. the second level uses three containers to describe a u-shaped form which wraps around the central courtyard. on the final level, an elevated exhibition space with access to the roof terrace gallery closes off the square layout.

exterior view image © eirike førde

street view image © eirike førde

using the structural soundness of the containers, much of the exposed roof surface of the gallery serves as outdoor exhibition space. the entrance on the second floor is headed by an unsheltered terrace gallery which can be accessed by an industrial staircase from the central courtyard. floor-to-ceiling windows placed at the ends of the containers as well as circular skylights allow the interior to be well lit with natural daylight.

interior view of third level gallery space image © eirike førde

main gallery on ground floor image © eirike førde

roof gallery image © eirike førde

circular windows image © eirike førde

image © eirike førde

image © eirike førde

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

floor plan / level +2

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long elevation

short elevation

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