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A structure for the future? The government buildings in Oslo, built 1958. Bombed 2011.

Arkitektur N asked photographer Ivan Brodey to portray the damaged government building in Oslo after the bombing on 22nd July 2011.

By Ivan Brodey
Published 08 Dec, 2011
 
The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government buildings in Oslo. 1958. Bombed 2011. Entrance to the Y-block, looking towards the government building. Photo: Ivan Brodey

The government building in Oslo in 1958. Architect: Erling Viksjø. from Byggekunst no. 1-1959

The government building in Oslo in 1958. Architect: Erling Viksjø. from Byggekunst no. 1-1959

The government building in Oslo in 1958. Architect: Erling Viksjø. from Byggekunst no. 1-1959

Architect: Erling Viksjø

The government headquarters in Oslo, centered on the iconic vertical block from 1958 by architect Erling Viksjø, was bombed by a right-wing extremist in July 2011. The ongoing discussion about the future of the damaged structure has so far been polarised in two directions: to preserve it and restore it to its former state, or to tear it down to build something new. But there must be other answers: a process of healing is already taking place in the careful temporary wrapping of the building.