Oslo International School is a private school with about 500 children from more than 50 different nations, divided into kindergarten, reception, primary and secondary school.

The school is based on a traditional use of classrooms combined with special facilities for advanced studies.

The primary goal of the building project is to upgrade existing areas, replace temporary structures and establish new educational areas for specific needs. The project is divided into 3 phases to make possible continuous use of the school during the construction period.

The existing structure from the 1960-ies was worn down, but had obvious architectonic qualities. The organization on one level gives easy orientation, good natural lighting and a close contact to the outdoors.

The modular structure is flexible to programmatic changes.

The new structure gently transforms the easy organization within a limited budget, and tries to keep the inherent qualities. The new mechanical systems are placed on the roof.

Phase 1 is established as pavilions within existing atrium. They include science laboratories, library and a main “square”. The main entrance, as a result of the addition, is moved to the west side of the building.

The architecture is developed as a new vocabulary of soft and organic forms, softening dense spatial relationships between new and old areas. At the same time these new areas contain special programs framed by the rectilinear structure of the old. Daylight fills the rooms from narrow slits from floor to ceiling combined with circular roof lights.

Phase 2 is a separate pavilion for the smallest children. It houses 10 classrooms in addition to offices. The common areas get daylight from the atrium. Sizes of rooms are flexible, and can be changed according to number of children on each level.

Phase 3, under planning, will house new areas for drama, music and physical education. Parts of the areas will be open at night.

ARCHITECT: Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL, Oslo, Norway, www.jva.no. CLIENT: Oslo International School. LOCATION: Gamle Ringeriksvei 53, 1357 Bekkestua, Oslo, Norway. AREA: 3900 sqm new structure, 3300 sqm refurbishment. TEAM LEADER: Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL, Einar Jarmund, Håkon Vigsnæs, Alessandra Kosberg. PROJECT TEAM: Siv Hofsøy (project leader), Anders Granli, Halvor Kloster, Katrine Skavlan, Nikolaj Zamecznik, Kazuhiko Yamada, Trine Johanne Jamtli. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Grindaker AS. CONSULTANTS: AS Frederiksen (structure), Ingénia AS / Ing. Per Rasmussen AS / Heiberg & Tveter AS (Mechanical), NEAS Brannconsult AS (Fire) , Norconsult AS (Acoustics). CONTRACTOR: Oslo Byggentreprenør AS. DATE: 2009.
SOURCE: Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL. PHOTOES: Ivan Brodey. No part of this web site may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Morfae and the copyright owner.