Høyskolen Kristiania Kirkegata - 23-25

A modern school in historic surroundings The newest campus of Kristiania College in Kirkegata 23-25 is an infill transformation project that is carefully adapted into a historic street. The school has a capacity of 3000 students and all the classrooms are equipped with the state-of-the-art technology available at the time. A-Lab won the architecture contest for this project with the proposal “Square root”. The main concept was an indoor square atrium with a dynamic staircase as a social focal point. This concept makes it possible to illuminate and make a cozy space, in what would otherwise be a deep and potentially dark space. Early on it was clear that it had to be demolished due to poor conditions. With little left to save, an idea of planting a seed arose. A seed of knowledge that would grow into a tree of knowledge. The focal point of the building is the Yggdrasil staircase, named after the world tree from Norse mythology. Yggdrasil is the first thing the eye catches on when one enters the building. Its’ form invites one to choose the stairs rather than taking the elevator. The stairs drapes around each floor and is organized so that one moves in a ribbon shaped movement. Climbing the stairs can remind one of climbing an actual tree, as each floor and landing gives a new view. At the top of the tree is a large skylight that allows the light to travel down the staircase. At the bottom is an amphitheater. This is the heart of the building. Here students can hang out and study. The amphitheater/stairs connect the first floor with U1 and U2. 10 meters underground is where the biggest auditorium is, which can fit 500 seats. The underground floors also contain support functions such as parking for bikes, wardrobes with showers, technical rooms and an extra kitchen. The amphitheater also functions as a stage, and the “balconies” upwards and the stairs can be used by the audience. The project is in a historic area. A transformation to modern use required a good understanding of the site to create something that is a part of the environment instead of making something that sticks out as new and foreign. There was good dialogue with antiquarian authorities to ensure that the right decisions were made. The project originally contained two lots that throughout the years had merged. We wanted to restore the original street structure. Hence why the building has a split in the middle and has different hues in the materials. The project is based on historical principles for design, like its’ neighbors on the same street, with the classical three divisions of piano the heavy base, the rhythmic mid part and the pushed back top. The ground floor is extroverted with benches integrated on the façade that invites activity. This is a modern project on historic grounds that aimed to pay honor to the past while functioning as a vibrant urban school campus.