3XN: The Arch

In the historical city of Mandal, in Norway, Danish architects 3XN have recently completed a new cultural centre, which has been called "The Arch," because of its shape, which seeks to emulate the arched shape of the hills surrounding the site. The centre offers a theater, cinema, concert hall, library, gallery and café, offering activities for all ages of the town's 15,000 inhabitants. "The Arch is a house of the people," says 3XN's Jan Ammundsen. "So we designed a building that in an elegant and soft motion gathers the town's cultural life, while the modern expression bears witness to a town in development".

The architects sought to make an optimal use of daylight, designing a building that seems open and attractive to visitors, featuring panoramic windows facing the river and city. Ammundsen notes how "it is important that the building's activities are visible, and that the building connects to all the residents. Therefore, we have also emphasized designing the south-facing outdoor areas, so they are attractive sunny, recreational spaces with views to the river. In this way the building brings value to everyone in Mandal".

In its first two and a half months, the centre has become a popular destination, attracting 25,000 visitors. The building will have a green roof, which will increase integration with the surrounding nature. The building's white color is in synch with the surrounding old white wooden houses, for which Mandal is known for.

3XN Architects: The Arch
Client: Halse Eiendom
Area: 30,000 m2
3XN Team: Kim Herforth Nielsen, Jan Ammundsen, Eva Hviid-Nielsen, Peter Feltendal, Trine Gregersen, Kasper Guldager Jørgensen, Nanna Flintholm, Michael Soja, Thomas Käszner, Palle Holsting, Mette Baarup, Dan Hinge, Jørn Juul Sørensen, Ralf Wagner, Rasmus Holm, Lasse Lind, Jesper Thøger Christensen, Christian Bundegaard, Bodil Nordstrøm, Simon Hartmann-Petersen, Thomas Lykke Nielsen, Henriette Byrge, Rune Bech
Landscape Architect: Asplan Viak
Completion: 2012