Akerselva The Right Side of The Brain

Abstract: Oslo has until now been divided into the west and east, separated by categories of economic and social class as well as a physical barrier, the river, Akerselva. The west predominantly represents people of middle to upper class, whereas the east represents the middle to lower class people. This division has been formed throughout history, as the river that separates Oslo has been home to industry, supplying energy for industries to thrive and grow along its edges. The difference between the east and the west has always been present, but it is mainly in recent years that they have been discussed. There are many plans of development on how to enhance Oslo´s city centre, such as new cultural centres and a Fjord Boardwalk, however, how does this influence the east and the identity it will have in the future? Akerselva is seen as a clear distinctive physical barrier that people associate with the boarder. However, according to the municipality the actual line that distinguishes the west and the east is the main road, Uelandsgate, which runs parallel to the river. This slight difference in the perception of the boundary leaves an undefined zone, where the project is located. Given the history of industry and innovation along the river there is a local interest in homemade products, which has inspired my decision to design a learning lab for industrial design, incorporating students and new entrepreneurs. The site in which the building is located was chosen because of an existing courtyard, framed by the facades of the surrounding industrial brick buildings. This location sparked an idea, that the area could be transformed into a meeting place, where both neighbouring companies and companies from further away, could meet to be inspired and discuss new creative processes. The focus during the design phase has been to establish new connections between the three actors consisting of students, new entrepreneurs and the public. The design of the open circulation core is oriented towards the public and allows for an exploration of the building and the process it contains. I have separated the process into different workshop environments that are placed vertically throughout the building. The different workshops serve as meeting places for the students and entrepreneurs, which makes it possible for them to collaborate and discuss the design process. Working with the city scale to influence the function of the built scale, I want to encourage Akerelva’s identity to become a spine for learning The centre of Oslo represents the brain and Akerselva is the creative Right Side of The Brain.