Located on the waterfront in the peninsula of Odderøya and opened to the public on 11th May 2024, Kunstsilo is the largest museum in Southern Norway integrating for the first time the Southern Norway Art Museum and the Tangen Collection of Nordic art, the most comprehensive private collection of Nordic art from the period 1910 to 1990. Together with the Kilden Performing Arts Centre and Knuden Cultural School, it is part of the new cultural quarter of Kristiansand.
The original grain silo was designed in 1935 by architects Arne Korsmo and Sverre Aasland – leading figures in the functionalist movement in Norway. It consisted of thirty-eight meters high cylindrical cells, an elevator tower, and a storage building. Mestres Wåge Arquitectes, BAX and Mendoza Partida have undertaken this extensive heritage preservation project which transforms the functionalist grain silo into a world-class cultural venue.
Offering panoramic views of the region’s spectacular coastline, this innovative cultural centre showcases three art collections, digital art experiences and will host a range of international touring exhibitions. The building’s focus remains the still visible 30 grain silos which act as a central navigation point for the visitor creating a vast entrance hall and access to natural light throughout. On top of the building, a new glass covered bar and event spaces provides views of the archipelago.
Landscape architects and lighting design: Henning Larsen
Interior architects: Scenario
Photo credits: Alan Williams
