Countdown to ‘Munch’, by Juan Herreros

The Oslo City Hall has given the green light to the construction of the Munch Museum in the new area of Bjorvika near to the famous Opera House. The discussion between the political parties on the location, programme and financing of the museum has led to an agreement that project ‘Lambda’, headed by Spanish studio Herreros Arquitectos, is the best of all the alternatives available from the various agents which participated. Project evolution In March 2009, Juan Herreros won an international competition, beating other architects such as Pritzker Tadao Ando and Zaha Hadid, in order to lead the creation of the Munch Museum and the adjacent commercial and residential complex in Bjorvika. At the end of 2011, after two years of working on the approved master plan for the area and the basic building project, groups and political parties voiced doubts over this and other projects which were accompanied by the breaking of political alliances which temporarily suspended the agreement on the museum. Since then, the process has required the creation of new prospective jobs and reports, political negotiations which affect the various aspects of cultural and social life in the city, and has even led to protests by citizens, claiming the construction of the museum was necessary for holding the works of the most important Norwegian artist in a dignified manner while avoiding more delays. In these cases, the architect must maintain a respectful manner, taking a step back from the front line to ensure transparency in the process but must also be seen to be available to listen and explain, offering alternatives and helping to open pathways towards an agreement, says Juan.