Prøysenhuset | Snøhetta

The building's design and interior are created by YME Studios in collaboration with the internationally renowned architectural firm Snøhetta, and features an art gallery, bookstore, café and roof garden. Art exhibitions are frequently found alongside the merchandise, as are signings, launches, in-­‐store appearances and fashionable happenings. YME aims to create a personal shopping experience by empowering the customer to explore and understand the stories behind the merchandising and how they are presented, which is a major part of our universe. Visitors are encouraged to meet and exchange culture and ideas; To be inspired and dive into a unique selection of books and magazines from around the world, experience the installations and artworks, or take a stroll out to the roof garden for a relaxing moment in the heart of Oslo.

The idea is a building in the spirit of Prøysen that naturally joins in to his local universe and creates interaction with the existing farmyard and forest – a building that fits in its surroundings but still is anchored in a contemporary architectural idiom.

The 1000sqm building accommodates a small shop, a café with a fireplace and baking oven, as well as a terrace with view down to the old Prøysen farm. The core of the building holds a theater for approximately 200 people, and it has a duplexing stage enabling shows facing both the theater hall and the café. Surrounding the theater there is a permanent exhibition with smaller rooms, as well as a small library with books and publications of Prøysen.

From the local road, Prestvegen, one is led to the cultural center on a board walk through thewoods. The outer skin of the façade is a cladding of treated pine wood battens in an uneven pattern. This creates a slight transparency into the underlying red façade that is exposed on the front of the terrace and by the entrance. The atmosphere of the interior is unpretentious with solid wooden floors and plywood veneered walls and contrasting painted colors on fixed and loose furniture.