Cultural Center Buen in Norway by 3XN

The Copenhagen office 3XN won at the end of last year in a invited competition for a new cultural center 'Buen' (Arc) in the city of Mandal in southern Norway. In addition, the architects also developed an urban study for the further development of the city. The cultural center, together with a new residential area featuring a number of shops and a hotel, will create a counterbalance to the historic center on the opposite bank of the river. In terms of proportions and scale, the architects refer to traditional Norwegian houses. A newly designed pedestrian bridge is intended to support communication between both banks. The cultural center itself is conceived as a 'green mound rising from the ground with glazed surfaces facing the water.' The green roof is intended to serve visitors for leisure activities and provide panoramic views of the opposite city.