Interpretation Center for Draugen
Master Thesis 2019, Norwegian Technical University NTNUTrondheim, Norway
The spring 2019 master thesis is about the narrative about Draugen, the only Norwegian oil platform designed to be move-able after its decomission. The proposal is a companion interpretation center that combines museum, visitor center, and memorial functions.
Anthropocene , Techno-Romanticism, and Narrative
The project is set in the year 2035 when Draugen, a reusable and moveable oil platform in the Norwegian sea is moved closer to Stavanger, Norway for reuse. The project is an interpretation center for Draugen on the shores of Mortavika, Norway. The theme around the oil industry in Norwegian history is polarizing as either a fairytale or nightmare.
With the project, I wanted to explore the theme of uncomfortable architecture and how certain typologies are polarizing.
Uncomfortable Narrative
Planned for a reuse of Draugen in 2035, in an imagined future, there is a retrospective debate surrounding the petroleum industry. Many Norwegians are divided on how to depict the the petroleum industry in their romanticized history. An industry that has provided so much to the country, yet taken so much from the environment.
This project proposes an interpretation center where there can be honest discussion about the subject. A stereotypical Norwegian Oil Museum already exist in Stavanger (a half-hour drive away) provides much of the informative and objective perspective. An interpretation center shines a spotlight on the topic in a very personal and subjective way.
Mortavika
The placement of Draugen is about 1000m from the Interpretation center at Mortavika, Norway, beside an existing ferry terminal. At a depth of 250m, Draugen's topside is more than 60m abovethe water. The Interpretation Center is a companion exhibition space to the Norwegian Oil Museum in
downtown Stavanger (30 minute drive), sharing staff and storage.
Mortavika, Norway
Embedded Volumes
I took inspiration from shale and the abundance of geological features into the project. The thesis involves two volumes embedded in the bedrock.
One longer volume juts out pointed towards the oil platform Draugen, the other is a wider space, looking into the wider industrial context. Between the two volumes is bedrock a section of which is exposed in the interior.
Materiality & Technological Awareness
The volumes allow for reflection of the subject matter, supplemented by the exhibits in the interpretation center. A multi-level long volume accommodates enormous artifacts from the oil industry, such as drills, pipes, and cranes.
The atmosphere within the space is befitting to the Petroleum, Gas, and Concrete industries.
The entrance leads to a staircase, descending to the short volume and long volume. The two volumes connect the visitor to the oil platform through the acoustic, thermal, and humid properties of concrete. The two are connected by a section where exposed bedrock adds to the atmosphere.
The long volume has a view towards the location of Draugen, obscured at first but fully revealed as one walks towards Draugen. The high ceileng height allows for exhibition of large items. The short volume has regular ceiling height, feeling cramped in comparison.
There are a flexible rooms for presentations and meetings. A possible audience can be industry members such as engineers, builders for their conferences.
Interior Design
The interior design is muted with a contrast of cold andwarm colors. The interior is meant for reflectance, reverance, and admiration.
1 Concrete posts and beam hidden by railing and panels
2 Plaster and concrete panels under railings
3 Lightweight concrete railings
4 Monolithic concrete stairs
5 Windows with metal frame
6 Plaster covered wood ceiling board panels for sound
7 Concrete slab on metal deck for catwalk
8 Layer between floor and ceiling for ducts, electrical
9 Ventilated facade: exterior stone cladding with air gap
10 Smooth Concrete Interior
11 Warm white lamps obscured by wood panels
