Bikinifabrikken

This diploma project is about Bikinifabrikken, a wool factory at Figgjo from 1905, that has been abandoned since the production ended in 1981. In the 1920s the factory entered an adventure of being the leading producer of swimsuits in Norway and the Nordic region, and in this project I propose to transform the building into a cultural center with workshops and exhibitions that shed light on the building’s colorful, fun and provocative history. By maintaining a connection to the past, while opening the building up to the public, more people can share my excitement about the history of Bikinifabrikken. Since I started working on the research for the project, I have had a desire to work with a program where the history of the place can be included and passed on to the visitors. Throughout the development of the project, I have focused on how both locals and tourists visit the place. How can the project function both as a meeting place for Figgjo’s population, and as a destination for those who come from afar? The factory building has stood in disrepair for over 40 years, without any particular maintenance being undertaken. Nevertheless, the building stands firm, due to the durable construction in brick and wood. The bare body of the building has stood there on the river bank, with its large, beautiful rooms - unique in its local context, and without a certain future. In this project, I have focused on preserving the existing architectural qualities and working from the building’s own premises. In order to preserve the open, airy spaces, I have chosen to add necessary functions and infrastructure as independent interventions at specific points in the building, which break with the existing structure.