Education House in Kjeller / Lund+Slaatto Architects

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Text description provided by the architects. The Education House project is part of a larger expansion of the Lillestrøm Centre of Expertise, and the building is designed to be the conclusion of the main axis through the master plan. The distinctive form, with its simple forms and clean lines will give to the centre a new icon that represents a new and more modern image. The building is both a central office building for the Centre of Expertise and the entrance to the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment. This duality is reflected in the shape of the building, which consists of two distinct volumes which are knotted together. The main entrance is located in the junction between the two volumes. The façade is designed to present a more open aspect in towards the central square, and a mode enclosed, protective face towards the road that runs along the side of the building. The ground floor is completely open and pulled back from the façade, and the concrete floor flows directly from the outside to the inside, further emphasizing the direct contact to the public facilities.

The architecture manages with limited means to project an image of straight and elegant modernity, using a very limited material pallet of white render and lacquered façade panels. The coloured façade panels are intended to bind together the bands of glazing into a consistent whole, which reinforces the simple volumes and the sculptural appearance of the building. The colours were inspired by military camouflage.