Henning Larsen, Snøhetta, Zaha Hadid Architects, Kengo Kuma Associates among finalists for Norway's new music theater design competition

A group of five finalists has been named in the competition to design a new theater called Griegkvartalet in Bergen, Norway. 

Teams led by Henning Larsen, Snøhetta, Zaha Hadid Architects, Nordic Office of Architecture, and Mad arkitekter/Kengo Kuma Associates (who previously collaborated with each other on the Ibsen Library) were selected by a six-member committee as the competition’s shortlist. Each team will receive an honorarium of NOK 600,000 (est $57,000 USD) for their proposals and participation.

Three winners will be selected later, each of whom "emphasizes aspects such as the integration with the surroundings, urban space, architecture and functionality, environmental considerations, energy efficiency, and feasibility." The group will then negotiate with organizers for the terms of service contract. Organizers say their aim is to select the overall winner by March 2024.

A total of 32 proposals were vetted throughout the selection process. Committee member Olav Munch said: "What these five selected groups have in common is their track record of creating beautiful and relevant cultural buildings and urban spaces. They demonstrate expertise in both architecture and consultancy, as evidenced by their references. Their letters of motivation have shown their dedication and suitability to participate in the planning and design competition.”

The committee shares: "Although informally referred to as an architecture competition, the correct term is a planning and design competition. This competition includes both architects and consultants. The reason for this is that the building is highly complex and requires a strong interdisciplinary team. The complexity arises from both the building itself and its integration with different cultural environments within the urban space."

The project will be enacted at a site associated with the legendary 19th-century composer Edvard Grieg and embellish the area as a "unique cultural powerhouse" with a multipurpose design that can host opera, musical theatre, ballet, dance, concerts, and conferences.