Kristin Jarmund Architects won 1st prize in an invited competition to build the new National Dental Faculty in spring of 2004. With few adjustments, the project was realized from 2008 to 2012.
The Department of Odontology at the University of Bergen is situated on a steep hillside that is characteristic of Bergen, reflected in the angled wall facing the dramatic and spacious landscape. The building acts as a "bridge" between campus areas on either side of the site and decreases in scale and proportion as it tapers towards the neighbouring residential area. The colours of the glass facades pick up the blond pastels of the surrounding villas.
The Dental Faculty functions both as a university and a public dental hospital. It houses both students and patients. A spacious vestibule with a triple high ceiling in the whole length of the building organizes the two groups effortlessly and creates a common space for the different users.
The project has technical advanced solutions and rigorous standards of hygiene, especially in the clinic areas. The colours have to be calm and neutral not to disturb the dentists’ work with white teeth. In contrast the vestibule and waiting areas have a bright red and warm colour.
Photo credit:
Benjamin Hummitzsch, Ole Harald Dale, Bjørnar Tønne (Byggenyt), Jan M Lillebø (Bergens Tidende), Sture Nepstad (Glass & Fasade),