Our proposal Driv received an honorable mention in the competition for designing a new National Floating Museum and Competence Center for Wetlands in Fetsund, Norway. It was an open international competition with 136 submitted proposals.
The jury honored Driv’s care for the landscape and that the outside areas are adapted for experiences and exploration even outside the museum’s opening hours.
The design of Driv is based on the movements in the unique delta landscape of Glomma and will guide visitors through nature and the cultural qualities – both on land and in water. The architecture creates a field of tension where visitors are led in and out through landscapes and buildings.
It was important for the project to create an architecture and scale that is in direct dialogue with the delta landscape and let nature play the main role.
The shape and design of the floating pavilion on the river Glomma is designed to create a clear destination and a natural scenic viewpoint for all visitors and passers-by. An open public staircase leads you from the long pier and up to the roof of the pavilion. From the top you can view the Glomma river, the landscape, wildlife and the center from a bird perspective. Materials and design are linked to the history of timber floating and wood as a building material.
The exhibition halls give visitors a strong museum experience contrasting the open landscape outside, but also have strong connections to the river and the wetland through large window openings and proximity to the ground.
The landscape around the center adapts the area’s organic forms and dynamic movements. A network of paths and open spaces creates an accessible landscape that connects rivers, land and the visitor center. The new landscape is integrated and connected with the adjacent nature and the buildings in larger and smaller “biotope islands”.
The different shapes and parts of nature have different themes that promote the area’s different landscape typologies – including meadow, forest, pasture, agriculture and wetlands, in addition to industrial history and wildlife.
The landscape around the center adapts the area's organic forms and dynamic movements. A network of trails and open spaces creates an accessible landscape that connects river, land and visitor center.
Lead Architects: David Saand, Jenny Mäki
Architects: Rebekah Schaberg, Lukas Nordström
Landscape Architect: Kjetil Torgrimsby
Illustrations: LUXIGON