Oslo Opera House Competition - Oslo, Norway

With the selection of a Norwegian architect, Snohettas, on June 22, 2000 the city of Oslo, Norway is embarking on the planning and construction of one of the world's great opera houses. The facility will house the Oslo Opera and Oslo Ballet, and will present national and international touring companies. The competition entry shown here orients a large glass facade toward the center of the city and orients the working spaces - such as offices and studios - toward the harbor.

The project includes:

• Administrative and operations space for the resident and visiting companies to present current productions and to plan future productions, including offices, canteen, orchestra and dance rehearsal rooms, large opera rehearsal room, wardrobe rooms, and dressing rooms.
• 1400-seat opera house and 400-seat multiform theater.
• Cruciform stage plan, turntable wagon, rear stage, side stages on two levels, dance wagon, and two-level hydraulic lifts.
• Hydraulic stage rigging with two-level gridiron.
• Adjustable proscenium side towers and 5 light bridges.
• Automated drop storage warehouse on the back wall of the flyloft.
• Integrated shops for woodworking, metalworking, upholstery, plastics, electrics, props, wardrobe, assembly, and painting, all with monitor skylights.
• Automated container handling system for loading and unloading trucks.
• 3-section orchestra pit lifts with seat wagons yielding pit capacities of 35, 70, and 100 musicians.
• Public cafe and bookstore.
• Automated production table lift with seat wagon.
• Control rooms for audio, lighting, commentary, projection, subtitles, followspots, and a viewing room.

Architect: May & Pinska - New York NY