Architecture Archives

Outdoor art at Hurdalsjøen Hotel & Spa

In addition to being a spa and conference hotel, Hurdalsjøen Hotell has in recent years also expanded with a separate sculpture park outside and more art projects around the hotel.

The artists who have contributed are NICO WIDERBERG, OLE MARTIN SKAUG, SVERRE ANDREAS KOREN BJERTNÆS, HENRIK GJERSTAD, PÅL GJERSTAD, J ØRLEIF UTHAUG and JOSEF TZEGAI YOHANNES

NICO WIDERBERG is educated in drawing, graphics and sculpture at the Norwegian School of Crafts and Design, and studied sculpture under Boge Berg at the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts. Widerberg works with sculpture in stone (including granite and diabase), bronze and glass, with oil paintings and with graphics. Central to Widerberg's art are depersonalized human representations, heads and torso. The hotel has two sculptures by Nico Widerberg; "På Bølgen and Kransen" two figures in the garden.

SVERRE ANDREAS KOREN BJERTNÆS is a Norwegian painter and graphic artist. He participated in his first exhibition as a 15-year-old in connection with Nerdrumskolen's group exhibition at Blomqvist in Oslo. The hotel also has two works of art by this artist.

OLE MARTIN SKAUG is originally a photographer, educated at California State University in Los Angeles. In addition to studying photography, he also have training in a number of other art disciplines. This led to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Ceramics are today his main form of expression. Ole Martin works mainly in stoneware clay but also in other materials such as iron, lead and epoxy. He has had a number of exhibitions in Norway, Sweden. The hotel is so lucky to have several sculptures by Skaug, including the "Damvokteren" which can be found by the pond north of the hotel.

HENRIK GJERSTAD is a graduate of The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and has studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. The New York-based artist has been apprenticed to two generations of artists, both his father Pål Gjerstad and his grandfather Ivar Gjerstad. In 2017, he has exhibited works at the Contempop Gallery in New York and at Juvenarte in Oslo.

PÅL GJERSTAD is director of Hurdalsjøen Hotell and has always been interested in art and has contributed to the sculpture park by spray-painting the hotel's old piano and by constructing a steel bench.

JØRLEIF UTHAUG was a pioneer for abstract sculpture in Norway and his experimentation with new techniques and materials led Uthaug to metal sculpture and reliefs in the 50's. He used materials such as glass, stone, wood, copper and brass. The hotel is so lucky that they have borrowed a relief and a sculpture of Uthaug Art Center by Jørleif's son Geir, who is also an artist.

JOSEF TZEGAI YOHANNES is a cartoonist and artist. He is the author of The Urban Legend. In 2016, Josef Yohannes made an Eidsvoll Edition with a dramatic story about scary forces that will "rob the Constitution" – both as an exhibition and as a comic book, and the hotel has borrowed the exhibition of Eidsvoll 1814. This can be seen along the forest path west of the hotel.

SVERRE BJERTNÆS is considered one of Norway's most important and central contemporary artists, and over the past ten years has made a name for himself on the international art scene. His earlier works are characterized by an attraction to dark tones and still life, portraits and model studies. "The collective human" new artwork with us and is made in bronze and is 260 high.

Welcome!

The Plus at Magnor

The Plus – the world's most eco-friendly factory and a hot destination

The Plus is a tribute to the public, and the area around the factory is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to spectacular architecture that blends beautifully with nature, you'll find Forest Camp with universally designed trails that take you on forest walks that are accessible for both prams and wheelchairs, a pink picnic table with room for about 100 people and several different activities for young and old. You can ride Norway's highest slide, enjoy the tranquillity of the forest at a wide range of social meeting places, experience a unique factory roof or hike along the Børli poetry trail. On the green roof, you will experience how this functions as an urban piazza in the middle of the forest with its furnished concrete floor, surrounded by the forest's high treetops. You can also familiarise yourself with Vestre and The Plus on one of our three information screens on the factory walls.

Designed by Danish architects BIG, The Plus is a tribute to the great outdoors. That's why Forest Camp (the area around The Plus) is a 300-acre area that is open to everyone. Through 2,000 square metres of windows in the factory, you can see the production process from outside, or you can book a guided tour inside the factory. In Forest Camp you'll find various social meeting places with benches of different kinds, including a pink long table in the forest with room for about 100 people.

Vestre will bring something new to Forest Camp every year, giving you a reason to come back year after year.

Guided tours and group visits
It's possible to visit the factory and learn more about Norwegian furniture production. Experience the spectacular architecture of The Plus – designed by world-renowned BIG Bjarke Ingels Group – from the inside. On the tour, you'll learn more about Vestre's history from the start in 1947, how architecture, technology, people and nature are united in The Plus, and how we work with both social and environmental sustainability.

If you would like a tour inside the factory with one of our guides, you must purchase a ticket. The tour follows the products' journey in the factory, and you'll get to see our robots Margot and Randi powder coating, and experience how nature, light and aesthetics affect us humans.

– Individuals and small groups can book tours online
– Contact us to book a guided tour for more than 15 people.

Enjoy your packed lunch in the sunshine
With everything you can experience at The Plus, it's a good idea to bring a packed lunch. We recommend enjoying your packed lunch outdoors on the seats in the forest area or on the factory roof. There are also great opportunities to bring a picnic blanket and find a peaceful spot to yourself.

If you don't have a snack in your bag, Ingelsrud patisserie is only a 3-minute drive away. You can also ask for food and drinks to be delivered at an agreed time at The Plus.

We ask you to always show consideration for nature so that those who come next also have an equally good experience.
– Please dispose of your rubbish in the bins we have provided.
– Please note that it can be very dry in the forest at times. We therefore discourage smoking and bonfires in these areas.

Adding Color to Lives – Huset Kløfta

The street art project "Adding Color to Lives" was carried out in 2016 through a collaboration between Ullensaker Municipality and the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport hotel.

Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport had won an internal competition where the prize was a collaborative project between the renowned street artist Joel Bergner and local youth; art that would be visible to and benefit the entire local community.

The artwork can be seen at the youth center Huset in Kløfta.

Løkenes Farm

Løkenes Gård is one of the oldest settlements in Asker, and in the Middle Ages the name was Laukanes, which means 'the headland where onions grow'. A Stone Age settlement and four burial mounds have been registered at Løkenes. The farm had a lime kiln, the remains of which are well preserved. In 1751, 50 tons of lime were exported from the kiln.

Queen Maud and Crown Prince Olav were keen users of the tennis court at Konglungen in the early 20th century as friends of the Rustad family, and the farm was one of the first to start self-picking strawberries.

The entire peninsula from Vettre to the bridge to Konglungen is called Løkenes, but the place is often referred to as Konglungen.

Bærums Verk – shopping

Handelstedet Bærums Verk

Bærums Verk – from ironworks to shopping & culture
HISTORY
400 years ago, King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway wanted his kingdom to be selfsufficient in iron production.His wish became reality when an iron ore was discovered at Kirkerud- and Eineåsen in Bærum. In1610, Paul Smelter as given the Kings commission to set up a melting hut at Wøyen. In 1922 the first melting furnace in the country was built here. In 1641 the ironworks was moved to where its remains are found today. During the ironworks heyday, everything from cannon balls and cannons to bar iron, armoured plates and rivets were produced. Later items, such as ovens, grave ornamentations, kitchen utensils, hardware and machine parts gradually became the mainstays of production. Five light-houses were also cast at Bærums Verk.One well known lighthouse; “Færder” (1855) is standing at the entrance of the Oslo Fjord. The Løkke Bridge in Sandvika was casted at the ironworks in 1829, and in 1895 it was immortalized by the French impressionist painter,Claude Monet.1872 saw the end of the meltery and the beginning of a foundry and mechanical workshop that lasted until 1964. The area surrounding Bærums Verk saw an extensive housing boom in the 1980’s which created the cornerstone for the development of Handelsstedet Bærums Verk.
CRAFTS
Verksgata at Bærums Verk has a rich and exciting artisan milieu. From the era of the iron works, there has been skilled craftsmen at Bærums Verk. Woodcarvers and smiths have had their production tasks. For the rich decorated oven plates, the moulds were first carved in wood, and afterwards the plates were casted in sand. Today one will discover a dynamic atmosphere within the handicrafts, strolling down Verksgata, the main street of Bærums Verk. Among others one will find a blacksmith, glassblowers, a special shop for patchwork, carpenter’s workshop and traditional Norwegian handicrafts. The18th century wooden living quarters of the workers have been restored, and is now providing a distrinctive framework for this memorable setting. Here one can purchase that unique gift. Here is something for every taste and every occasion.

A stroll down Verksgata is a pleasant experience in itself. From the smithy’s sounds the clang of the anvil, and from the carpenter’s workshop one can enjoy the smell of freshly cut wood. If one is lucky, one can also see the most exquisite glasses being blown.“custom made” gifts are being produced by the artisans at Bærums Verk.
SHOPPING
THE FOUNDRY – THE FURNACE – THE IRON STOCK
Trade and commerce have always been of central importance to Bærums Verk’s history. This tradition continues today. In 1985, restoration began to revitalize the old buildings into a charming cultural and social centre. The second stage in this process accured in 1997 with the refurbishment of the old production locations: The foundry, the furnace and the iron stock. Today, Bærums Verk has become a unique shopping centre in historical surroundings. Apart from shops that offers necessities and services for the local community (such as health services, food, clothing and leasure activities), there are also speciality establishments in interior design. In the spring of 1998, “Handelsstedet Bærums Verk” received ICSC’s international prize for innovative thinking within the development of shoppingcentres.
ELVEGANGEN
Prize for building esthetics.
In earlier days, this section contained workshops such as a smithy, tinker workshop and a gaswork. After a large fire ravaged the area, the octangular Gas Building (1870) was the only one left standing. This gas building, together with the Tavern (1640) and the Stoke House (1924) created the foundation for the new row of houses that were constructed in 1985. Løvenskiold-Vækerø recieved an arcitectual prize for Building Esthetics in 1988 for this new development. Now you can find 50 shops, craftsmen , workshops , galleries and restaurants, trade, crafts and one uniqe Sculpture park.
THE MUSEUM OF BÆRUMS VERK – THE OVEN MUSEUM
The oven museum houses an unique collection of antique cast-iron ovens produced at the Ironworks. The styles and designs shown strech from the baroque period in the the 1700’s up to the end of production in 1964. The museum is included in a guided tour at Bærums Verk.

Bærums Verk has received several awards. Byggeskikk Prize in 1988, ICSC 's international award for innovation in the development of shopping centers in 1998. In 2002 we also received the Olavsrosa , awarded by the Norwegian Heritage. This is a trademark of adventures based on the Norwegian cultural heritage.

Bærums Verk is situated at the entrance to Lommedalen , not far from Sandvika.

OPEN ALL YEAR !

GUIDING
Do you want to get an insight into the work history and a tour of The Oven Museum as well as to experience the area , shops , workshops and galleries , you can book a guide at the information office, tel. 67 13 00 18. We provide historical guiding, duration approx. 1 hour , which includes walking through the area , entrance to the Oven Museum and stopping along the way.
Price: NOK 1500 , – for groups up to 30 people. Price includes tickets to the Oven Museum

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

The Kepler Star

It is located close to the road where the European Route 16 meets European Route 6. In 1999, the artist Vebjørn Sand was asked to create a landmark in the planned industrial park at Gardermoen. Sand got the idea for the Kepler star and says this is a symbol and a vision that draws the threads back into cultural and spiritual history – and forward to technique and aesthetics. The star was first constructed by 16th-century by the astronom Johannes Kepler, as a further development from the Ikosa Seder, one of Plato's 5 geometric bodies consisting of 20 triangles.

A spetacular land mark close to the main airport in Norway – Oslo Airport.

Information from Visit Greater Oslo

Vikingskipet

One of the largest ice-skating arenas in the world

Hamar Olympiahall – Vikingskipet is a modern multi-purpose arena with an architecture reminiscent of our Viking Ship heritage. It was built for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and has status as a national arena. This means that it can be used for international championships. Today, the bustling arena is used for speed-skating, bandy, and figure-skating training and competitions, and it also plays host to a wide range of small and large trade fairs, corporate events, exhibitions, banquets, and concerts. When used as a concert venue, Vikingskipet offers a 20 000-people capacity. It enjoys a beautiful location in Åkersvika, on the banks of Mjøsa, not far from Hamar town centre.

Spectacular architecture

Shaped like an upside-down Viking Ship, the arena showcases Norwegian architecture and building design using laminated wood lattice girders with a max. beam span of 96 metres and with 4-metre struts. The architects are Biong & Biong Arkitektfirma and Niels Torp Arkitekter, and the arena measures 250 metres at is longest and 110 metres at its widest. It has a max. floor-to-ceiling height of 36 metres, a total area of 22 000 sq. m, a 10 000 sq. m ice rink, a 30 000 sq. m roof surface, and a volume of 350 000 cubic metres.

Test your ice-skating skills

When the arena’s ice rink is in place, ice skating in Vikingskipet is open to everyone. Skates are available for hire, and there is also a shop selling ice-skating equipment.

The lime mill culture centre (Kalkmølla kulturstasjon)

Kalkmølla cultural center was established in 2026 and is today a cultural center for great music experiences. The building has fantastic acoustics and you can get close to the musicians during the concerts.

The history of Kalkmølla began in the millennium when monks came to Norway and wanted to build monasteries of stone. This provided the basis for an important industry in Bærum from the millennium until the beginning of the 19th century and Bærum's municipal coat of arms is the symbol of a lime kiln, several of which can be found in the area around Sanvidka and Slependen.

The history of lime extraction began in 1916 when shipowner and captain W.B.Markussen went ashore, moved from Grimstad and onto Hamang Gård. Here, a significant limestone passage ran across the property with Franzefossen. The waterfall is named after Knut Frantzen, an active businessman in the 16th century. In the late nineteenth century and until the First World War, tanneries, small industrial activities and the extraction of masonry stone, for which the limestone is well suited, were operated with varying success. Sandvika Kalkmølle/Franzefoss lime mill grew rapidly, first with a silo and packing plant for limestone flour opposite the mill by the waterfall, then a large crushing plant and concrete factory. In 1952, the open pit was empty of lime and the limestone vein had to be pursued with mining. When the mining was closed in 1992, the mine went in 2 floors 700 meters down to under Helgerud Church.

The importance of lime lies in its ability to neutralize acid and to release and absorb CO2. The lime in the Oslo field is from the Silurian (350 million years ago) where animal and plant remains were deposited in shallow seas together with large amounts of clay. In this soup, clay and lime separated like milk and cream, forming clay shales and more or less thick limestone beds. Limestone is a mild base whose surface reacts with acid until neutrality is reached. By grinding the limestone into flour, the surface is increased and it was found that it was a good way for agriculture to counteract acidic soil. This gave the new owner of Hamang Gård the idea of building a mill, with power from Franzefossen, to grind the limestone into agricultural lime. This was the start of what we know today as Franzefoss Bruk. After World War II, there was a great need for building materials to rebuild the country and the operation was developed to include other products such as stone and the factory expanded with a large crushed stone plant and concrete factory.

Sandvikselven a salmon river

Sandvikselven was one of the best salmon rivers in Eastern Norway and the community's concern about the business operation was primarily related to the anticipated damming of the river. In 1917, construction began on the dam and the salmon ladder that can be seen in the river behind Kalkmølla, a turbine gate with a turbine and generator, a crusher and a mill with a silo. Architect Kristian Hjalmar Biong added good architectural values to the building. The salmon ladder became an important element in the preservation of the river. Bærum Jeger og Fiskeforening does a fantastic job of cultivating the river and today the Sandvik River is full of fish and life.

In 2026, the dream of using the old lime mill as a concert venue became a reality. A grand piano was purchased with the help of Wolfgang Plagge and the Kalkmølla Kulturstasjon foundation.

More information can be found on Kalkmølla's website and on the signs placed outside the house facing the river. Everyone is welcome to take a break on the benches outside and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Hiking and biking in the area

It is very pleasant to walk down the river from us to Sandvika, about 30 minutes car-free walk to Sandvika bus station or up along Lomma to Bærums Verk where there are exciting galleries and craft shops, restaurants and a shopping mall. The trip to Bærums Verk takes just over 1 hour.

Enjoy your visit.

Leonardo Bridge in Ås

The footbridge is from a design by Leonardo da Vinci and was built following an initiative from the norwegian artist Vebjørn Sand.

Member of Visit Greater Oslo

Feiring Ironworks

Eidsvoll museum

Visit Eidsvoll Municipal museum, Eidsvoll Occupation museum, Feiring ironworks, St. Paul's iron mine and Carsten Anker's house

Member of Visit Greater Oslo