Operahuset/Operaen

By Jordan Grant

A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to visit Oslo, Norway for a few days. Of course, the city is most famous for the Oslo Opera House- called the Operahuset in Norwegian- and after experiencing it for myself, I couldn’t agree more with the positive criticism that it was received.

I guess the main reason that I feel capable of providing commentary on the Oslo Opera House is because I can contrast it the Opera House located in Copenhagen, Denmark, which I experienced days after. One opera house provided the city with a lively landmark that attracted tourists and residents alike- from early in the morning to late at night. The other seems unconnected to the city and is unoccupiable in the way that the Oslo Opera House is famous for, and is most often viewed at a distance. This is why I feel that the city of Oslo has really gotten the most value out of this building- because many other cities have failed to make such a lively node with their Opera House, such as Copenhagen.

The Olso Opera House in Norway

Oslo’s Opera House has a wonderful location in the city center, on the edge of the water. With the chill in the air as I approached the massive structure it almost looked like an iceberg, large and imposing, exposing itself to the shore. Similarly, the Copenhagen Opera House is located on the shores of ocean bank- but away from the city center, so a large distance of water usually stands between the viewer and the structure. Additionally, it makes no connection to the water aesthetically, which makes it appear out of context.

What really makes the Oslo project so great is that it’s monumental but still interactive with the community. It invites all its visitors to climb its roof and gain a panoramic view of the city. Additionally its doors were open even in the middle of the day with no event planned, so I was able to experience the interior of the space as well. It’s quite an interesting feeling to be standing on the ground but also be able to see people walking by the windows located many meters above your head.

Once you’ve ventured your way up the tilting roof the entire city opens up at your feet, it’s really quite an amazing feeling. In the front you can see where the sea meets the land; in the back a line of contemporary buildings, some still under construction, are a focal point. It’s really a great orientation tool for those unfamiliar with the city. For all these reasons I believe that the architects behind the Oslo Opera House should be commended for their work and that other cities can use this example as a way to create a community-interactive building.

The Copenhagen Opera house lacks the vibrant, interactive design of the Oslo Opera House, as well as the accessibility to the public. You can see it here on the left, located across on the opposite bank of the canal:

The Copenhagen Opera House

 As far as Opera Houses go it was one of the most expensive ever built, over 500 million US Dollars. As far as I'm concerned, they could've taken a page out of Oslo's book with some of that money!