Oslo Hospital nominated for architecture award

Together with Sophies Minde and Hobo Hotel, Oslo Hospital was among the nominees for Transformation Project of the Year. On 24 September, Hobo Hotel ultimately received the award, but we are nevertheless proud that Oslo Hospital was highlighted and recognised for the qualities the transformation has brought to the local community.

The property at Ekebergveien 1 has been part of Oslo’s history for more than 700 years, as a monastery and hospital. After hospital operations were discontinued in 2018, Allstad has worked to develop the property into a modern office and meeting-place project. The historic buildings have been rehabilitated and adapted for new uses, the garden that was previously enclosed behind high walls has been opened to the public, and a new central brick building houses a canteen, meeting rooms and modern office spaces. The architects have taken the site’s history into account while designing a new building that naturally connects the past and the future.

This transformation caught the attention of Oslo Metropolitan Area (OMA). The organisation aims to be a network for the good city and works towards sustainable and comprehensive urban development in Oslo. Among other things, it does this by highlighting good examples through its OMA Awards. The jury wrote the following about the nomination of Oslo Hospital: 

«An area that for centuries has been a monastery, hospital and closed institution is being opened up and returned to the city’s population. The project demonstrates how strong cultural and historical values can be the very driving force behind modern urban development – and how preservation, new architecture, workplaces and inclusive meeting places can together create new life in a historic part of Oslo»