Image courtesy of the Statoil new Forus West competition

Wingårdhs wins Statoil competition in Norway

E = mc² by Swedish firm Wingårdhs was the winning solution in an invited competition to redesign the Forus West building of major energy company Statoil in Sandnes, Norway. From 48 applications worldwide, the teams invited to compete consisted mostly of Norwegian names and a few famous ones: Snøhetta (NO); Foster + Partners (UK) with Space Group (NO); and Helen & Hard (NO) with SAHAA (NO).  The jury had four Statoil employees and three architects: Helle Juul – Architect at MAA; Henrik Lundberg – Civil architect at MNAL; and Svein Lund – Civil architect at MNAL.

Image courtesy of the Statoil new Forus West competition

Above the ground floor the building has an elliptical form. The building volume is chamfered, falling from a 16 story height towards ground floor facing south. The sloping south facing roof surface consists of glass and solar panels with recessed terraces. This gives the building a strong and distinctive shape.

Image courtesy of the Statoil new Forus West competition

The entrance is designed in a friendly and welcoming manner. Office areas and working environment are solved in an inspiring, clear and forward-looking manner. All work places are against the facade with daylight and views. Service areas with toilets, meeting rooms, technical rooms are placed as a clear separation between workplace and social meeting areas and communication areas in the building’s core. This core has a very attractive design, located around and in between three large, open atriums, where elevator cores and open staircases are located. The atria and the short distance up to the sloping glass roof also gives these core areas good lighting.

Image courtesy of the Statoil new Forus West competition

The project has a significant innovative nature through advanced technological solutions, which fits well with Statoil as a leading technology company. Its clear inclined surface towards the sun is suitable for Statoil’s energy and environmental ambitions. Because of a very space efficient building shape and office solution, the gross area is far lower than the other project proposals.

more. http://www.wingardhs.se/