Ambassaden

The former American Embassy, transformed into an open, inclusive, and green classic in Oslo.

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Franziska Meisel

Head of Norwegian Market, Associate Partner, Landscape Architect, Urbanist

Location

Oslo, Norway

Size

2,600 m2

Year

2020 — 2024

Client

Fredensborg Eiendom

Role

Landscape Architect

Partners & Collaborators

Lund Hagem, Atelier Oslo, LCLA, Paulsen & Nilsen

Awards

OMA Award 2024

The fortifying fences are gone, and the former US Embassy in Oslo has again opened to the public – with new urban spaces integrating it into Oslo’s urban fabric. The iconic building was originally designed by architect Eero Saarinen in 1959. While Saarinen’s era was the “age of cars,” the new design reinterprets the design for a time when cars take a back seat.

Around the transformed Embassy’s facade is now a 12-meter wide ‘belt’ of lush urban spaces with new trees, informal meeting places, outdoor serving areas, and public bike parking.

We have designed a space that invites interaction and experiences, where neighbors, employees, and the rest of Oslo’s population can meet or simply enjoy when passing. Across existing parking spaces and the newly freed areas, we have established a continuous urban floor paved with stone slabs in different shades, varying sizes, and surface textures.

The building’s architectural historical value is tied to its material use and facade design in the post-war modernist style. Saarinen’s intention was for the Embassy to be perceived as “a gentleman in white tie,” surrounded by large trees, creating a perceived connection to the Royal Palace Park. The original rows of trees have been retained in the new design and are supplemented by new plantings. The urban floor is programmed with green spaces, water features, furniture, and skylights, which create a lively variation in the paving and highly functional outdoor areas. The differences in elevation have been utilized to create terraces, seating edges, stairs, and bicycle parking.

From the embassy, there are good connections to the Royal Palace Park (Slottsparken), Solli Plass, Rådhusplassen, Ankerhagen Park, and the park on Lassons gate. Therefore, improved pedestrian and bicycle connections have been incorporated into the project to create a more accessible and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. A new, universally designed pedestrian solution allows everyone to experience the area without barriers.

The project is part of a series of ambitious urban space initiatives in the Vika area, guided by the Vika Urban Space Masterplan developed by SLA.