The Art Silo – an architectural awakening

This buildings’ story starts almost 90 years ago, with Arne Korsmo and Sverre Aasland, two thriving young architects, who were commissioned to design a silo for grain-storage in Kristiansand, southern Norway. What started out as a much-needed warehouse would soon become an iconic example of Norwegian functionalism.

Multifunctional space

Today this architectural marvel has a new purpose and a new name: The Art Silo. Instead of using the buildings vast storage capacity for grain, it is now home to the Tangen collection, the world's largest private collection of Nordic art, while also serving as an exceptional venue for lectures, concerts, dining experiences, or other events.

Experience art with a view

Architect Magnus Wåge talks about his vision for the buildings’ architecture: "We have been concerned with the variety of streets and squares around the buildings, and the Art Silo is designed to create an urban space with character. The building is located in an area with a lot of wind and harsh weather.

The angles of the building and the placing of the entrances were therefore important. The Art silo is located in a cultural quarter with the theatre and concert hall of Kristiansand, Kilden, the cultural school Knuden, and now the art museum Kunstsiloen. Together, these three cultural buildings become the very core, a trio in a cultural force for the city," says Wåge.

Homage to Norwegian roots

The silo itself is made of concrete and has been rehabilitated. For the extensions, there have been challenges with the floor heights and the construction plans had to be adjusted along the way.

"There are two side buildings to the Kunstsilo, one of which is clad in aluminum and the other in brick. The reason we chose brick for one of the buildings was that in the initial design from 90 years ago of the existing building, Korsmo and Aasland had already planned to use brick. Brick and aluminum also have deep traces in Norwegian industrial history. The brick cladding was chosen as a tribute to the building's history. As the structure does not have the same function as the original, we have of course added new elements such as incorporating glass.” Brick was an important choice of material for the architectural group: “The bricks themselves are slightly different as we were looking for a specific format that would be a bit longer than a standard brick.”, Wåge continues. Finally, the Tuohi MRT75 brick was chosen, since it had exactly the right format and gives a clean and modern look that fits perfectly with the Nordic design.

The former warehouse silo now allows a transformative experience, merging art and architecture all while being complemented by the spectacular views of the Norwegian coastline.