Inauguration of the Twist, Kistevos Museum near Oslo on 20th September 2019
Photo: Laurian Ghinitoiu
One of my favorite architectural companies is BIG, the Danish office created by Bjarke Ingels. If you go to Copenhagen, you definitely have to visit Copenhill, the waste incineration plant that been transformed into a playground for the people of Copenhagen. Function meets fun would be the perfect description.
Photo: Laurian Ghinitoiu
But today I want to talk you about a warped sculpture near Oslo, that hides the Kistefos art Museum. The building looks like a ‘living’ bridge with a span of 60m, that connects the banks of the River Randselva. The structural engineers from Ramboll described the challenge offered by this project as follows: “Wringing out a dishclod is a simple task.
Photo: Laurian Ghinitoiu
Now, imagine wringing a 360 ton steel structure in a 90° twist. It sounds almost impossible.” The steel structure, which at least in the central section of the building is highly complex, was designed entirely in a 3D model. From this model the planners generated the shop drawings and list of parts for the steel structure.
In the turnkey contractor’s bidding process, the cantilever was shortened by 3 modules saving approximately 15% of the steel quantity. Simultaneously, Ramboll optimized the weight of the construction saving about an additional 35% of the quantity of steel. Ramboll’s optimization included adding bracings to make the bridge into a truss girder, as well as optimization of the section and detail design.
Photo: Einar Aslaksen
Sources: BIG, Edition Detail & website Ramboll. Pictures: Laurian Ghinitiou & Ramboll
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
