Design and Architecture Norway (DOGA)

Foto: Ledang / Oslo Byleksikon

Design and Architecture Norway (DOGA), Hausmanns gate 16, city precinct Grünerløkka, was officially opened on 3 February 2005. The building consists of two former industrial buildings, Ankertorget transformer station and The Machine Hall, built in 1899-1900 and 1912-13, and the substation from 1948. The architects responsible for the conversion were Jensen og Skodvin AS. The buildings have gained a number of awards. In 2007, the centre had almost 50,000 visitors. After the merging of the operating organisation DogA, Norsk Form and Norsk Designråd in 2014, the building now houses Design og arkitektur Norge (DOGA).

Ankertorget transformer station supplied power to the Christiania tram system and also controlled street lighting in the city. In addition, importance experiments were carried out here that were of significance for Norwegian industrial development. It was here that Sam Eyde and Kristian Birkeland produced the oven that was capable of producing synthetic nitrogenous fertiliser in 1903. This was the beginning of the world’s first nitrogenous fertiliser factory, Norsk Hydro.

Hausmanns gate 16 is typical of many of the industrial complexes of the age, and many feature references to medieval brick architecture. The complex was active as a transformer station until 1996, when it closed down. In addition to DOGA, Hausmannsgate 16 comprises apartments, a restaurant and several design and architecture offices. The great majority of the industrial buildings along the lower section of Akerselva have been converted into present-day buildings that contain culture-promotional businesses or cultural knowledge activities.

Transformation typifies the area. Half of those involved in promoting culture in the country now work in the Oslo area, and a large majority of these are clustered along the banks of Akerselva.