This thesis is a reaction to the monocultural developments in Oslo city, using a Film and Entertainment Institute to create a more mixed environment. This architectural intervention hypothesises that cultural infrastructure designed with permeable boundaries can advance Oslo’s ‘Fjord City’ vision more effectively than conventional development models by:

1. Creating a civic presence that welcomes diverse populations
2. Establishing physical connections between previously segregated urban areas
3. Generating cultural exchange through public programming and media production
4. Demonstrating how Norway’s creative industries can engage with its multicultural urban fabric
5. Further making Bjorvika a prominent part of Oslo City centre
6. Fulfilling Oslo’s Fjord City goal of making the city closer to the Fjord, car-free, promoting more public transportation and pedestrian-friendly spaces.

The thesis proposes that Oslo’s ‘knutepunktsutvikling’ (hub development) strategy can be enhanced through architectural interventions that prioritise civic engagement and social connectivity over purely commercial development.

Bjørvika (the site in focus), a gateway district to the centre of Oslo, is experiencing a current transformation from railway yards and car parks into high-rise luxury developments to fulfil density goals, but it fails to create meaningful urban integration across socioeconomic boundaries.
The research tests whether a hybrid architectural typology, specifically a Film and Entertainment Institute with integrated public space, can function as both a cultural catalyst and an urban connector at this critical gateway to Oslo. By extending across the railway through a pedestrian bridge system, the proposal challenges the physical and social barriers that currently separate Bjørvika from Grønland’s diverse immigrant communities, plus a wider part of the city and the historically significant Middelalderparken towards the Fjord.

This studio project challenged us students to design an innovative Headquarters (HQ) building in Oslo’s Bjørvika district that reimagines future workplace environments. The building should feature a distinctive form with a civic street presence, flexible office layouts supporting hybrid work models, and public-facing spaces that enrich the urban fabric. Students must integrate sustainable practices, advanced materials, and technology while creating spaces that promote collaboration, focus work, and community engagement. The HQ should respond to Oslo’s growing demand for innovative office spaces that adapt to evolving business needs and new work models. The program includes “front of house” spaces (lobby, exhibitions, amenities), “main structure” areas (offices, labs, meeting rooms), “back of house” functions (administration, technical rooms), outdoor public spaces, and parking designed to align with reduced car dependency policies. Students will develop their projects through an iterative process of analysis, simulations, and design generation, building upon investigations from previous exercises. Introducing my cutting-edge design for a film and entertainment headquarters, a hub of creativity, innovation, and modern production capabilities. The building features an iconic exterior, with striking architecture that reflects the dynamism of the film industry. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a multimedia-rich lobby, showcasing interactive displays and digital screens that celebrate the company’s achievements. At the core of the headquarters are state-of-the-art production studios, including sound stages, green screen rooms, and motion capture facilities, alongside post-production suites for editing, sound mixing, and visual effects. Complementing these are private theatres and screening rooms, including an IMAX or Dolby Atmos option, allowing for high-end, immersive previews of new work.