Supervisor:
Ute Groba
Dagur Eggertsson
The project is a case study of Frognerhjemmet, a former nursing home in the Frogner district of Oslo, that was demolished in 2024. The aim was to understand: Why was Frognerhjemmet deemed not good enough? Then the building was reimagined in an alternative reality where the building was never demolished, to challenge this conclusion.
Frognerhjemmet was closed down as a nursing home in 2018, following new regulations from the municipality, as Frognerhjemmet had too few bathrooms to be allowed to continue its operation. The building was then sold to a developer, who commissioned reports from consultants to evaluate its cultural heritage value and potential for reuse. The reports concluded with a recommendation of demolition, due to lack of value and challenges linked to upgrading the building to the requirements in the Norwegian building code.
The work is divided in two parts, where the first seeks to expose and challenge the decision-making process that led to the demolition of Frognerhjemmet. Through an in depth analysis of case files, archival drawings, consultants reports and other sources, the project suggests alternative solutions to the challenges that were used to justify the demolition, and casts doubts on the validity of the process. Systemic reform is suggested, to make reuse a more viable option in future cases.
The second part of the project is a reimagination of Frognerhjemmet. The alternative solutions investigated in the first part are applied in the design, to enhance the building’s positive qualities and resolve its shortcomings.
The hope is that this work can inform, provoke, and inspire - and contribute to the necessary shift in the construction industry.
Contact
Anniken Maria Blakstvedt Willmann / +47 959 11 197 / annikenwillmann@gmail.com