2480. Kristiansand, Kilden.

Dear Nora,

The Kilden Performing Arts Center with its featuring

large undulating oak canopy is a remarkable

cultural center opened in 2012 and extended in 2014.

It includes a Concert hall with 1200 seats, a Theatre-

Opera hall with 750 seats, a multipurpose hall and 

a small theatre hall, offices, workshops, rehearsal 

spaces, and a parking garage for 400 cars.

Next to this building stands the new Kunstilo Museum

occupying a former large grain silo and opened in 

2024.

Sincerely,

R

2471. Oslo. Rådhuset. Borggården.jpeg

 

Dear Xavier,

The Oslo City Hall building's foundation stone was 

laid in 1931 and the shell was completed in 1936. 

However construction came to a halt as war broke 

out in 1940.  Construction resumed after the war 

and the official opening took place in 1950, on the 

occasion of the city's 900th anniversary.

Regards,

R

2447. Oslo, Museum Edvard Munch

 

Dear Magnus,

"The building's conceptual approach and

construction system are an expression of

the collective engagement of Norwegian

society to the natural environment. It

echoes its present challenges and desire

for innovation that steps forwards into a

better future." (Juan Herreros)

Sincerely,

R

2356. Bryggen Museum Bergen

Dear Ole,

The Bryggens Museum located in Bergen was designed

and built by local architect Øivind Maurseth, the same 

architect of the next door Radisson SAS Hotel.

Regards,

R

2169. Sonja Henies og Niels Onstads Stiftelser. Høvikodden, Oslo.

Dear Kurt,

The Henie Onstads Kunstsenter is one of the

birthplaces of Norway Contemporary Cultural

center. The architects envisioned this building as a

set of concrete oyster shells brought to the site 

from the near waterside.

This center along with Oslo Opera House, the new 

Munch Museum and many other great sites makes 

Oslo a must-see city.

Regards,

R

2053. Norsk Bremuseum Fjaerland

 

Dear Nuccio,

"The constructions made by animals are rationalistic.

They are precise and unchanged, the same every day

and every year. (...) If architecture is made completely 

rational, people become animals." (Sverre Fehn)

Respectfully,

R

1994. Oslo. View from the Town Hall. The Skansen Restaurant

 

Dear Olof,

The Skansen Restaurant seen in this vintage postcard

was the first functionalist building in Norway. Its elliptical shape with flat roof and continuous ribbon windows was inspired by the shape of an airplane gondola. Its popular terrace has a beautiful view over 

the Pipervika Bay.

Respectfully,

R 

1843. Oslo. Hotel Continental

Dear Ivar,

The second  wing of the remarkable Hotel Continental
of Oslo was built in Functionalist style from 1930 to 1932.
Twenty years later, when a third wing expansion was
decided, the same architect was commissioned to
undertake the job.

Respectfully,
R

1832. The Tromsdalen Church of Christ

Dear Sven,

"The ancients were no fools" (Norwegian proverb)

Sincerely,
R

1775. Norway Norsk Bremuseum

Dear Nuccio,

"I strive to make a building that will make people 

more aware of the beauty of the setting." 

(Sverre Fehn)

Respectfully,
R

1456. Oslo

Dear Peter,

A postcard featuring the Norwegian National Opera and
Ballet designed by Tarald Lundevall of Snøhetta,
"In many ways life is synonymous with place"
(Craig Dykers, founder of Snøhetta)

Regards,
R

1083. Oslo. Samfunnshuset

Dear Magnus,

This compelling community center in Oslo is a premature
example of a mixed use building. Built in 1940 the center
houses a conference center, large meeting rooms for the
community, offices, and multiple stores. The compositions
of the muscular but elegant facades are consistent with the
different interior functions.

Regards,
R

1023. St. Olavs Kirke, Norway

 

Dear Sven,

Professor of Architecture Per Kartvedt designed the 
St. Olav's Cathedral in Trondheim (Norway) in 1973. 
Unfortunately this charming building has become 
inadequate for the current requirements of the local
community. In consequence it has been planned to
replace it with a brand new building that will be designed
by Eggen Architects.

Regards.
R

959. Oslo. Den Norske Opera & Ballet

Dear Jette,

"Architecture cannot be contained simply by rules of order,
instead it must accommodate the restless mind of human
society" (Snøhetta)

Best regards,
R

868. St. Hallvard kirke og Kloster, Enerhaugen, Oslo

Querido Federico,

"Y en el espacio de aquel hueco inmenso y mudo, Dios
y yo eramos dos." (Espacio. Fragmento Tercero.
Juan Ramon Jimenez)

Eternamente,
R

795. Oslo Opera House by Openyourap

Dear Pat,

"We wished to make the Opera accesible in the widest
possible sense, by laying out a "carpet" of  horizontal and
sloping surfaces on top of the building. This carpet has
been given an articulated form related to Oslo's cityscape"
(Tarald Lundevall of Snøhetta)

Cheers,
R

764. Storhamarlåven

Dear Enric,

"Architecture is not just a question of rationalism, but an
irrational idea that needs to be supported by a rational
structure" (Sverre Fehn)

Best,
R

641. K.N.S. Klubbhus-Dronningen, Oslo

Dear Poul,

"All work shall be absolutely first-class workmanship"
(Andreas Bjercke)

Respectfully,
R

605. Bergen, Gammelt og nytt (Engen)

Dear Eivind,

This building built in 1939, contains a petrol station,
shops on three levels, offices, a hotel and flats.
Nonetheless the building blends harmoniously with its
neighbors and displays an elegant and dynamic
composition.

Best regards.
R

509. St. Hallvard kirke og Kloster, Enerhaugen, Oslo

Dear Peter,

I came to Oslo and experienced the spiritual power of
darkness at St. Hallvard kirke. The convex ceiling, a
sort of anti cupola, evokes a motherly gesture, a one of
being under God's care and protection.

Best regards.
R