Playing with panels
When the architects from Nordic Office of Architecture started planning Fagerli School in Larvik, the idea was to go for light-coloured panel cladding. The choice fell quickly on Steni’s products.
When school started up again after Christmas holidays, the 600 students in years one to seven from Nanset and Frostvedt schools in Larvik could take their seats in a brand new and modern school. The school is one of the country’s largest primary schools with four parallel classes in every year and a total area of 12,500 square meters. But Fagerli School is not just a school.
“The building also contains a multipurpose hall, a kindergarten and a family centre,” explains Project Manager Hallgrimur Thor Sigurdsson, Architect MAA.
Massive project
Sigurdsson is a partner at Nordic Office of Architecture, the architect firm that won the bid for the project in collaboration with the general contractor, Hent. Nordic Office of Architecture worked continuously for three years with the project, which had a cost framework of NOK 244 million.
Sigurdsson and his architects have solid experience with large projects, including hospitals and airports.
“The challenge with a large project is finding the right approach,” says Sigurdsson.
Light-coloured panel cladding was our starting point when we planned the surfaces of the buildings. When we started to focus on the quality of the panels and detailing options, the choice fell naturally to Steni.Hallgrimur Thor Sigurdsson, Architect MAA and partner at Nordic Office of Architecture
White façade panels in combination with natural wood
Project Manager Hallgrimur Thor Sigurdsson, Architect MAA at Nordic Office of Architecture, chose Steni’s façade panels in part because of their quality and detailing options.
The right approach
The approach that the team of architects took is based on the fact that the building complex had many different programmes.
“We chose to place the various buildings around a common area, both outside and inside,” says the architect. The building encircles a square, or ‘heart’ , which serves as a common meeting area. The square changes character throughout the day, depending on who is using it.
FACTS
- Fagerli School, Larvik – Norway
- Architect: Nordic Office of Architecture
- Builder: Larvik Municipality
- Contractor: Hent
- Completed: 2016
Headmaster Thomas Bjørvik says that the students are proud of their new school.
Low maintenance
When the architects planned the surfaces of the buildings, they based their concept on light-coloured panel cladding. When we started to focus on the quality of the panels and detailing options, the choice fell naturally to Steni.
“In addition, the municipality wanted a low-maintenance building,” says Sigurdsson. The surfaces of the buildings are therefore dominated by Steni Colour in high gloss, but in combination with wooden cladding.
Proud students
“The classroom is our main learning venue, but it is also important that the students learn to take care of the environment,” says Headmaster Thomas Bjørvik. He says that the students are proud of their new school.
“It has a lot to say,” he says. Bjørvik thinks that the façade panels from Steni have created a very pleasing aesthetic expression.
“The building looks very nice,” he says. “The white panels more easily get marks from footballs. But they are apparently easy to rinse off,” he says with a smile.
The students are proud of their new schoolHeadmaster Thomas Bjørvik, Fagerli School in Larvik
