Boensmoen
The project is primarily a refurbishment of an existing school, which determines the relationship to the site. We have contrasted the repeated rows of bearing columns with circular forms and colours. Each grade has its own cylinder formed entrance in different colours conducted in a warm palette going from red to green. Each grade has its own “group of colours”. The purpose of the chosen colours is to give a visual play, whilst acting as a functional organization and identification tool.
Boensmoen primary school is situated in Eidsvoll Norway, a small housing community close to the main airport in Oslo. An existing secondary school from the 1960’s has been extended and transformed to house a primary school with a health- and resource department. The existing strict column- and beam-system has been complemented by new spatial qualities, and the banded fenestration of the west and north facades has been replaced by varying rhythm of formats and heights. The aim has been to create a tight integration of different functional areas, with clear and flexible usability.
In the new plan, Fortunen has contrasted the repeated rows of bearing columns with circular forms and colours. Each grade has its own cylinder formed entrance in different colours conducted in a warm palette going from red to green. Each grade has its own “group of colours”. The purpose of the chosen colours is to give a visual play, whilst acting as a functional organization and identification tool. Colour is also used as leading elements for the disabled. Fortunen believes that movement stimulates learning, such as wandering, climbing, playing and so on. Moving through an environment, not only to promote physical form, but also to create visual experiences with colours.
Inside, the base areas are subdivided by integrated furniture elements such as kitchens, group spaces and podiums, which can be used as performance stages as well as areas for rest. The classrooms are formed as a semi-open space, with classes connected to a common flexible area for individual learning areas, space for larger groups, and for open functions. The strong and extensive use of colour, inside as well as outside, works together with the interior and the integrated furniture.
Fortunen believe that the quality of life is closely connected to the communication between humans and their surroundings, which equates to having inspiring spaces, cheerful colours, living materials and a good environment. The school is located on the eastern part of Norway were the landscape can be covered by snow for up to five months of the year, making a black and white winter scene. Fortunen therefor believes that the school environment requires an extensive use of colour in contrast to the white landscape.
Fortunen AS is the winner in the WAN Colour in Architecture Award 2015, WAN Awards International Sector Awards Excellence in Design.
