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Article from issue 11/2003 »Building with Stone«

Mortensrud Church in Oslo

documentation p. 1264 - 1266
Architect Jensen & Skodvin Arkitektkontor | Structural Engineer ICG Interconsult ASA | Jensen & Skodvin Arkitektkontor |

Drafts
1:20 Vertical section
1:2000 Site plan
1:400 floor plan
1:400 sections

Architects, artists and the local community all worked together on the design for this church on a rocky ridge in pine woodland close to Oslo. The ensemble – a church and tower, community centre and courtyard – was built with minimal intervention in the natural setting. On three sides of the main building, the diagonally braced steel frame is filled in with slate slabs stacked one on top of the other. No mortar was used, so daylight penetrates through the gaps. Inside the rough ends of the slates are aligned, whereas on the outside, the profile is more irregular. Horizontal steel strips were inserted to brace the construction. Affixed to these are the glass facades which stand 90–160 cm away from the walls.