We are restoring Bergen's historic courthouse
When tasked with restoring the Bergen Courthouse, our design is driven by its users and aims to celebrate the building's century-old architectural heritage.
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Division Leader
Located at the heart of the city and its history, Bergen Courthouse was originally designed by architect Egill Reimers in 1933 and remains a testament to civic heritage. Remarkably, it has maintained much of its original character even after 90 years of use. However, the space no longer meets today’s requirements for security, functionality, or capacity as a fully operational courthouse.
By blending preservation with innovation, the landmark will house modern workspaces and a functioning court – breathing new life inside its historic walls.
“Transformation strengthens cultural heritage, and we’ve been given the unique opportunity to revisit and preserve the building’s rich history, renewing its significance and reinforcing its presence in the cityscape.”
Grete Kristin Hennissen
Division Leader
The newly renovated courthouse will optimize court operations, improve accessibility, and enhance the public experience, while strengthening security for users, employees, and visitors.
“Winning the contract for Bergen Courthouse represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a respectful rehabilitation of a building with rich cultural, historical, and architectural value,” continues Hennissen.
While staying true to the original design, we have sought out opportunities to integrate modern features into the building. With large parts of the courthouse protected, the project carefully restores the interior keeping safety, efficiency, and a respect for history in mind.
Together with the Court Administration, we are working to update furnishings and courtroom fixtures to meet current needs, with a focus on reusing high-quality historic furniture, that was specifically made for the space, when possible.
As part of the early stages of the Bergen Courthouse rehabilitation from 2021 to 2022, we learned a lot about the daily routines of employees and their specific needs for office and courtroom furniture. This knowledge has helped shape the design, ensuring it meets everyone's needs while still honoring the building’s original character.
Construction is set to begin immediately, and the project is expected to reach completion in 2027.
The restoration of the courthouse will be done in collaboration with HENT, Origo and Schjelderup & Gram commissioned by Statsbygg.
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