While many nations struggled with
economic recession this year,
Norway’s economy continued to grow.
Well-invested profits from Norway’s
oil production coupled with a fiscally
conservative culture has led to stable
growth that gave Norwegian firms the
opportunity to aggressively hire
talented professionals from abroad.
This is wonderful news for Oslo International School (OIS), the only English-speaking school near Oslo, Norway. The school is a fully accredited international school serving 550 children, ages 3 to 18, from more than 50 countries. In recent years, due to a rising number of expats moving to Oslo, OIS’ enrollment has steadily increased, which has allowed the school to plan major renovations.
Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects (JVA) was tasked with designing an environment that is flexible and supports many learning activities. OIS needed additional space to phase out temporary buildings and to accommodate its growing population. The architects renovated the existing school and added organic shapes for new science labs and study areas while keeping the aspects of the original rectilinear 1960s structure that benefitted the students. These features included an abundance of natural light, easy wayfinding and access to the outdoors from many learning spaces.
Construction occurred in three phases in order to keep the school operational while under construction. During Phase 1, organic shapes were added to an existing atrium to accommodate science labs, a library and the school’s main square. A separate pavilion for kindergarten and preschool students was constructed during Phase 2. The pavilion has ten flexible classrooms that can be changed according to the number of children in each room and grade level. The early childhood pavilion has an enclosed courtyard with a rubberized floor surface for safe play, which parallels a statement from OIS that early childhood students need “security, a predictable environment and hands-on experiences that lead to exploration and learning.”
An existing courtyard was also converted to a quiet garden with white gravel, benches and greenery for quiet play and conversations among older students. Phase 3, which is currently in the planning stage, will include space for drama, music and physical education. Portions of the building will be open to the community at night.
The school’s curriculum celebrates its students’ diversity and emphasizes students taking an active role in their education. The renovation artfully complements the school’s goal to “encourage [students] to become independent, life-long learners equipped to face the challenges of today’s world and be accepting of individual and cultural diversity.”
Additional resources:
Architectural Record article about Oslo International School
New York Times article about Norway's economy
