Fyllingsdalen Culture House | 2021

Creating Urbanity in a Transforming Periphery.

How can a public building create a sense of urbanity and foster a resilient, attractive streetscape in a peripheral area undergoing transformation? Culture houses have long been central to Norway’s communities, offering diverse programs that establish them as key meeting points for all ages and social groups. Over time, the concept has evolved into larger, more complex structures. In Bergen, new culture houses are reshaping local urban and cultural identities. For Fyllingsdalen, the proposed culture house provides an opportunity to create a vibrant, inclusive urban center.

A Vision for Fyllingsdalen
The new 6,000 m² culture house, square, and pedestrian connections—integrated with the new light rail stop and bus terminal—offer the potential to transform the area into a dynamic, year-round hub. Inspired by the area’s history and green valley setting, we drew from the legacy of grindbygg, a traditional Western Norwegian construction technique known for its material efficiency and ability to create large, open spaces. This method informed a design that is both resilient and community-focused.

Mediating Macro and Micro Scales
Our proposal bridges the macro and micro scales, addressing a complex program with pitched roofs and a human-scale ground floor. It transforms Fyllingsdalen from a business-oriented district into an open, democratic arena. Designed to serve one of Bergen’s most socially diverse neighborhoods, the culture house offers an inclusive space where everyone feels at home. Its familiar architectural form fosters belonging while harmonizing with the valley’s typology.

Porous Design and Public Connectivity
Instead of a grand entrance, the design emphasizes a porous ground floor with no defined front or back, mediating the terrain and surrounding typologies into a simple yet engaging volume. Public connectivity is enhanced with an active plaza, lively street facades, a welcoming bus-stop frontage, and visible technical spaces. A surrounding canopy breaks down the scale, creating a sense of domesticity and inviting interaction.

Sustainable Materials and Timeless Design
The structure champions sustainability with CLT columns and beams, echoing Western Norway’s material-efficient traditions. The raised facades create a floating effect, inviting visitors through floor-to-ceiling glass panels that showcase interior activities. A terracotta outer layer, composed of reddish ceramic tubes, combines durability with minimal maintenance, ensuring long-term aesthetic appeal.

Environmental Ambitions
Meeting the BREEAM-NOR “Excellent” certification, the project integrates environmental solutions such as solid wood construction, surface water management, and solar cells. These measures reflect a commitment to sustainable, future-oriented architecture.

A Generous and Inclusive Cultural Arena
This culture house embodies generosity and inclusivity, transforming Fyllingsdalen into a vibrant local hub. By offering spaces for production, consumption, and recreation, it becomes a cornerstone for community life. Visible, inviting, and sustainable, the building fosters cultural engagement and strengthens Bergen’s evolving urban identity. The project received the Second Prize in a Prequalified Competition.

Category:Museums and Cultural BuildingsLocation:Bergen, NorwayArchitect: Jérôme Picard, NorwayOther:Pir 2, Ramboll, Brekke & StrandPhotographer: Aesthetica Studio, LOCAL