Header: BIG
The Twist is a project by Danish company BIG Bjarke Ingels Group. The 100 sq meter building that spans across the Randselva river represents a bridge, a contemporary art museum, and a massive sculpture all in one. Set in the middle of the Kistefos sculpture park, hosting artworks by Lynda Benglis, Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama and many others, the Twist has been named a must-see location by numerous media, including Bloomberg and The New York Times.
Twist, Closed and Panorama Gallery
Surrounded by woodland, the Twist is a sculptural architectural piece illuminated by various light sources and river views. Divided into three showrooms, the building includes Closed Gallery, Twist Gallery and Panorama Gallery. A dramatic entrance leads through a double-height space into the Closed Gallery. From here, clear sightlines span through the entire building. The interior of the twist, where walls turn into ceilings and ceilings become walls, is aptly named the Twist Gallery. The Panorama gallery provides a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
The Aluminium and Wood Panel illusion
Despite its twisted appearance, the volume consists of straight lines only. The fan shape is created by twisting long aluminium and wood panels, which provide the illusion of curves. The visitors can descend a glass staircase to the museum’s lower level on the riverbank. The full-height glass walls provide a breathtaking view of the river, providing a feeling of being embraced by nature. The museum toilets feature art by Tony Oursler.
Contemporary art museum and a sculpture park
For years, the owners of the Twist contemporary art museum needed a bigger and more modern building that would showcase blue-chip art. At the same time, the need for another bridge appeared as the Kistefos sculpture park expanded downwards on both sides of the river. The new bridge allows visitors to follow a continuous circular route, replacing the less efficient U-turn circulation.
Bjarke Ingels Group combined the exhibition space and the bridge into a single structure, allowing one building to serve both functions. BIG proposed a sculptural volume that will tie the area together and improve the pathway for touring the park. The Twist now serves as a museum and a second bridge in the sculpture park, moving in a continuous loop.
“The idea is that you make a round trip. You have to pass through the art exhibition, whatever it may be, to see the entire park. The new gallery knits the whole place together.”
Owner Christen Sveaas
A demanding engineering achievement
Although the vision was clear, turning it into reality required overcoming considerable technical complexity. Technically demanding, the structure sank into place as soon as the temporary support bridge was removed. The entire structure had to be reopened, and bolts had to be welded again to ensure stability.
The new Twist museum building connects the contemporary art within with the outdoor sculpture park. Designed as a three-in-one structure, the volume houses a contemporary art collection, improves movement across the sculpture park and provides a mesmerising panoramic view of the Norwegian landscape.
