Ibsen Library, Skien Learning Facility, Norwegian Community Building, Norway, Architecture Images
Ibsen Library in Skien
30 Oct 2021
Architects: Kengo Kuma & Associates
Location: Skien, Norway
Democratic Keystone

Skien is the birthplace of world-renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, creator of iconic characters such as Nora of A Doll?s House, Peer Gynt, Brand, The Master Builder and Hedvig of The Wild Duck. The design is by Japan’s Kengo Kuma & Associates.

image © MIR
Ibsen Library Building
The Ibsen Library is the result of a desire to make Ibsen’s drama and literature accessible to everyone. A new library will be integrated with residents’ services, tourist information and a National Ibsen Centre. Skien municipality also has bold ambitions regarding Ibsen Library?s contribution to the maintenance and development of democracy, as an arena of inclusion, openness, and integration of art as a resource in society.
image © Kengo Kuma & Associates
A New Urban Fabric

The selected site at the Cultural Quarter for the Ibsen Library offers a great potential to create a new cultural core in the city of Skien. The unity of the Ibsen House and the Library would create the firm thread of the New Urban Fabric to be woven over the areas, linking important public and cultural facilities such as the School of Culture and the new sports hall. The site is situated in the prominent crossing point of the flow from various directions. Our urban planning strategy...