Modern air-conditioning technology in Norway's new national museum

Norway - land of fjords and glaciers. Even the capital Oslo, with almost 700,000 inhabitants, is surrounded by fjords. But it is not only nature that is beautiful in and around Oslo. In addition to the Holmenkollen ski jump and the New Opera House, the city now has another architectural highlight right on the harbour: the New National Museum by architect Klaus Schuwerk presents itself as an extraordinary manifesto for the arts.

"The largest cultural centre in the Nordic region", "one of the leading houses of its kind in Europe" - great promises precede the new National Museum Oslo. After the architectural competition in 2009 and the subsequent planning and construction period, the impressive new building is now complete and will open in summer 2022. The museum will then be home to a total of over 5,000 works: the art collections of the National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Decorative Arts will be merged from their previous different locations. On a total gross area of almost 55,000 m2 on two levels, works of art from antiquity to the present day will be on display - including works by artists such as Munch, van Gogh and Rembrandt.

The new building: made to stay

Klaus Schuwerk planned with the perspective of housing works of art for centuries in the new building. For this reason, high-quality, robust and durable products were used. Materials such as oak, bronze or shell limestone partly adorn the floors and walls inside. The exterior façade is made of Norwegian slate, which was specially transported to Germany and back again for processing. The building extends over two levels, in which, in addition to the exhibition areas, there is also a restaurant, museum shop, auditorium, library, laboratories, studios, workshops, office and archive and storage rooms. The rooms are arranged around an inner courtyard with a terrace and recessed gardens. The absolute highlight and symbol of the new museum, however, is the "alabaster hall" on the roof, which at the same time represents a third level and appears as if it has been placed on top of the building. With its special light, it will be a spectacular venue for temporary exhibitions. Especially at night, the Alabaster Hall shines with an almost magical glow.

Ventilation technology perfectly implements architectural wishes

For the ventilation and air-conditioning technology, the task was to combine the technical requirements with the architectural demands. Together with the architects and planners, the engineers from Kiefer Klimatechnik in Stuttgart searched for the ideal middle ground to meet all the requirements. Finally, the filigree INDUL linear diffusers were used, which were installed in the 20 cm wide open gaps of the stretched textile ceilings. The air outlets were installed in a special dimension slightly set back from the top, the perfect compromise for all requirements: The rooms are well flown through, the air can distribute evenly, the required distance to the fabric ceiling is maintained and the air diffusers are hardly visible visually. The aesthetic ceiling design is therefore not impaired, which was an important specification of the architects.

The reliable free jet characteristics prevent dirt deposits along the air diffuser, keeping ceilings clean for longer. The Kiefer system also fulfils the catalogue of requirements for the most equivalent possible climate conditions in museums. For example, draughts must be avoided and a pleasant atmosphere must be ensured in the air-conditioned rooms in which the exhibits are not adversely affected. This is achieved by dividing the supply air into fine alternating free jets, which intensifies the induction of the room air. At an angle of 45°, the supply air flows into the room alternately to the right and to the left, guaranteeing particularly even air distribution without a noticeable draught. Kiefer supplied a total of 940 air outlets to Oslo for this unusual project. After the opening, visitors can convince themselves of the pleasant feel-good atmosphere in the new National Museum.

Interview with Norbert Hinderer, Sales Engineer Kiefer Klimatechnik

1. You have already been involved in several major museum projects - what was different about the new National Museum in Oslo?
   The fact that in Norway, with the Oslo Opera House, the new Munch Museum and now with the new National Museum, outstanding architecture has been created right on the water. A cosmopolitan country, modern and open-minded, still familiar on site and, with its city location directly on the Oslo Fjord, friendly to the whole world.
2. How important is air conditioning and ventilation technology for buildings for you?
   Ventilation and air-conditioning technology is always successfully planned and executed when the comfort result is not noticed or perceived by anyone. Sobering for us engineers, but secondary if the actual goal is achieved for the clients.
3. How would you describe the cooperation with the architects, planners and yourself on this international project?
   The technical dialogue with the engineering office on exemplary sample rooms was mainly digital and by telephone. Installation details and intersections with the ceilings were discussed in on-site meetings with the construction management. In order to secure the planning and to give the client a one-to-one view, a sample room was built for several installation variants.