Bok & Blueshuset, Notodden

Bok & Blueshuset is a cultural centre incorporating several functions under one roof – a library, a cinema, a museum, a school of music and performing arts, a blues venue, a recording studio and administration offices for local cultural institutions. The building has a simple geometrical structure inspired by Notodden’s historical industrial architecture. Several volumes are stacked together enclosing a central “square”, where three towers bring daylight down into the interiors of the building. The three towers form a distinct silhouette, making Bok & Blueshuset a recognizable landmark. Inside, the tower spaces enable visual contact between the building’s different functions and provide views of the surrounding landscape through glazed façades. The building was planned as a wooden structure, but for financial reasons the wood was replaced with concrete. Outside, several new spaces have been created along lake Heddalsvatnet, providing public access to the waterfront.