Recommend demolition of the damaged buildings

Today, Minister of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs Rigmor Aasrud received the report ”Choice of concept study for the future Government Quarter” from an independent consulting group consisting of Metier, Opak and LPO architects. The study recommends focusing the Government Quarter between Akersgata and Møllergata. It also proposes tearing down the government buildings that have sustained the most severe damage to provide space for new buildings.

"I am pleased that we now have a thorough review of the opportunities for a future Government Quarter that will feature a high level of security and facilitate good, efficient ways of working. I am also pleased that the consequences for the city have been considered so carefully. The study will undergo quality assurance before the Government takes its decision. An independent quality assurance group has been selected and will begin working immediately", states Rigmor Aasrud, Minister of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs.

Recommends moving the Government Quarter east of Akersgata

The consulting group has analysed five different concepts for the Government Quarter. The consultants recommend Concept East. This would involve re-grouping the Government Quarter between Akersgata and Møllergata, and that the Quarter would be expanded between Grubbegata and Møllergata to Hammersborg. The proposal entails the acquisition of property between Grubbegata and Møllergata at Hammersborg, disposing of R5 and R6, and tearing down the Y-Block, the H-Block (the tower), R4 and the S-Block to make room for new buildings. 

The proposal is one of the two most reasonably priced ones and it would not require that many streets be closed. The consultants point out that the concept facilitates good security solutions, good flexibility in connection with changes in the ministries and the distribution of responsibilities, and good interaction. However, it would mark the end of parts of the historic architectural environment of today’s Government Quarter.

Recommends demolition of the tower building (also known as Høyblokka or the H-Block), but preservation of the art

The study recommends that the Y-Block, the H-Block tower, R4 and the S-Block be torn down to provide space for new buildings. The report states that “the additional cost of re-using the H-Block tower […] is estimated to have a cost expressed in net present value for the period of the analysis up until 2064 of about MNOK 400.” The consultants who have made the study recommend not re-using the building, but preserving the art it contains. According to the report, it is “entirely possible to preserve the indoor art of the H-Block tower, and the art on the gable of the Y-Block.” The cost of cutting the art out of the H-Block tower, handling it and integrating it into a new building is estimated at roughly MNOK 2 to 5.

The group is of the opinion that the gable of the Y-Block, featuring works of art by Pablo Picasso and Carl Nesjar, is especially worthy of preservation. If the Y-Block is to be demolished, consideration should be given to re-use of the gable. Among other things, the study proposes preserving the gable as a future work of art in the government park, placing the work of art in a future building as one of the conditions for entries in a subsequent architectural competition, or making it an element in a future memorial. The costs of conserving the art in the H-Block tower and on the gable of the Y-Block are included in a new building.  The cost of conserving the exterior art on the H-Block tower has not been estimated.

Propose an open office landscape

According to the report, having an open office solution would save a great deal of money compared with having office cubicles. The report recommends that 75 per cent of workplaces in the Government Quarter be in open landscapes where employees will not have fixed positions.

The study has not considered where a future memorial site should be located in the Government Quarter, but has stated that it can be fit into a future solution.

The Choice of Concept Study also includes a socio-economic analysis of the various concepts for the Government Quarter. The analysis includes an assessment of effects that are impossible to price, such as efficiency and interaction, security, flexibility relative to changes in structure and the distribution of responsibilities, the urban environment, representativeness and availability and the preservation of buildings and art.

The Choice of Concept Study has been drawn up by Metier, Opak and LPO architects and commissioned by the Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs. The study will be subject to quality assurance by the Dovre Group and the Norwegian Centre for Transport Research. Quality assurance will start immediately.