white arkitekter organizes norwegian high school around four-storey atrium

white arkitekter organizes norwegian high school around four-storey atrium
image by åke e:son lindman

designed by white arkitekter, ‘faerder technical high school’ is a new secondary education vocational college located in tønsberg, norway’s oldest village. the scheme brings the institution’s three existing schools under one roof, creating a state-of-the-art campus for academic education, design and building trades, automotive mechanics, and engineering. an open access policy for the new facilities allows the college’s 750 students to engage with and feel a part of the local community.

internally, the school is articulated around a four-storey atrium
image by åke e:son lindman

through analysing the plot and its key sightlines, the architects developed three meeting places within the campus that dictated the form of the permeable 15,000 square meter building. at the heart of the design sits ‘the hangar’, a semi-covered open space where student and public walkways converge. its vast proportions emulate the ship building facilities that once stood on the site. this area of the plan provides a sheltered outdoor space where workshops, concerts and exhibitions can be held by students and the wider public.

the sequence of levels includes an entrance plaza, canteen, auditorium, and exhibition area
image by ivan brodey

internally, the school is articulated around a four-storey atrium. the sequence of levels includes an entrance plaza, canteen, auditorium and exhibition area. technical workshops are found on the uppermost floors. expansive glazed sliding doors on the lower floors flood the spaces with natural daylight and permit access for large scale industrial materials.

a central staircase is found at the hear of the plan
image by ivan brodey

the building is constructed from sustainably sourced wood and concrete, which was chosen for its thermal mass and cooling qualities. this has been combined with a highly reflective rooftop that reduces initial heat buildup. adjacent canal water is also used as a cooling aid during summer months, and heat exchanges have been installed as part of the thermal management system. 

technical workshops are found on the uppermost floors
image by ivan brodey

the school is intended to catalyse a region that has seen the slow demise of the use of its industrial buildings. it is hoped that the courses taught will help revive some of the practical trades and skills that the area was once known for, such as carpentry, welding, and mechanical engineering.

the hangar is a semi-covered open space where student and public walkways converge
image by åke e:son lindman

the vast proportions emulate the ship building facilities that once stood on the site
image by ivan brodey

the approach to the new school building
image by ivan brodey

canal water is used as a cooling aid during summer months
image by ivan brodey

project info:

name: færder technical high school
location: tønsberg, norway
architect: white arkitekter
team: karin björning-engström, björn bondesson, karin jakobsson, sam keshavarz, thomas landenberg, paula mackenzie, carl molin, roger olsson
completed: 2014
built area: 15,000 sqm