Bragernes torg 1
History and identity shapes the new story of Drammen
TYPE OF PROJECT: Transformation, Ground Floor, Office
LOCATION: Drammen, Akershus, Norway
CLIENT: AVA Eiendom
SIZE: ca. 5000 m²
PROJECT STATUS: Planning stage
Bragernes Torg is a gathering place in the city centre and Bragernes Torg 1 once housed no less than the city's fashionable Grand Hotel from 1909, until the building was destroyed by fire in 1970. In 1973-74, Kreditkassen's bank office was built on the corner plot, and you can still see reminiscences of Norwegian bank building practices from the era, which emphasised the use of high-quality solutions and materials.
The building is refurbished with a richly detailed brick facade built on the existing foundation, an energy-saving measure that maintains the existing footprint. The five-story height with a recessed top floor is retained, but a new slender curb is added that extends beyond the cornice and creates a pergola over the roof terrace. The name "Bragernes Torg 1" is mounted on top of the parapet as a crowning touch.
Historical identity
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Timber trade
1600-1700s
Lumber was an important industry in Drammen, and the wooden housing that grew up at this time was important for the city's development.
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The Market
1745
The Market, which for centuries had been a central place for trade, was moved from Gamle Kirkeplass to Bragernes torg.
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The city Drammen
1811
The two towns of Strømsø and Bragernes were merged to form the city of Drammen.
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Norway's largest square
1854
The width of the square was expanded to more than 60 metres. The great city fire at Bragernes in 1866 is however the main reason why Bragernes Square is the largest square in Norway.
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City fire
1866
A devastating city fire on the Bragernes side of the city.
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Rebuilding
1866-1900
The rebuilding in brick after the fire attracted many of the leading architects of the time, and has given the city its magnificent city axis.
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Grand Hotell
1909
Grand Hotel at Bragernes Square 1. The building was demolished after a fire in 1970.
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Kreditkassen
1975
In 1974-75, Kreditkassen's new bank building (today Nordea Bank) was constructed on the site.
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Renovation
2018
Bragernes Square was reopened in 2018 after a renovation project that spanned approximately 15 years.
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Drammen towards 2025
2025
The current city bridge from 1936 is being demolished and replaced with a new bridge. The work is well underway and is scheduled for completion in 2025. In the meantime, a temporary pedestrian and cycle bridge has been constructed.
A Facelift
The former Grand Hotel at Bragernes Torg was built in 1909 and existed until 1970 when it was demolished after extensive damage caused by a fire in the same year.
In 1973-74, the new Kreditkassen bank building was built, but its function has changed over time and is now used by various tenants. The building needs a facelift to remain attractive on the market.
In designing a new facade, we look at the building's history and whether there are elements that should be continued in order to give the new facade anchoring in the past and preserve some of its identity as one of Bragerens Torg's most important buildings.
By colour scanning the various facades around the square, we see a distinctive use of warm beige, brown and grey tones, mainly in the materials of render, brick and concrete.
A simple grid that communicates the building's existing load-bearing system and materials that harmonise with the surroundings creates the starting point for further design studies.
The building's facade consists of an open base with contact both to the square and the river. Active on one side, quieter on the other. A highlighted main entrance to the office is pulled up to emphasise the connection to the floors above.
The new corner facade follows the original corner radius. Panoramic windows on each floor open up the building towards the surroundings. The rounded corner also creates a more welcoming experience for pedestrians on the ground floor. Seen from the city bridge, this solution is a modern interpretation of the building on the other side of the square. Together they form a portal motif into Bragernes Square.
The city axis is the central urban space in Drammen on both sides of the river. It has buildings from many different eras in different styles. The area consists of buildings for business and retail, housing, public buildings, as well as transport and infrastructure.
Bragernes Torg 1 has a prominent position as a corner building, and is part of framing the square.
Active Ground Floor
The distinction between inside and outside has been blurred throughout the ground floor to invite passers-by in for various dining concepts, where an outdoor seating area helps to activate the square.
