Gamle Deichmanske
Reimagining an iconic building for future generations. Opens 2028.
In 2020, Deichmanske Bibliotek moved into a new, modern location, and Møller Eiendom acquired the historic building from the Municipality of Oslo. Møller Eiendom’s vision was to transform Deichmanske into a vibrant destination with hospitality venues, photography experiences, office spaces, and meeting places, while preserving the building’s unique identity and historical significance. We were entrusted with the task of envisioning what this iconic building could become.
Conceptual Background
Founded in 1785, Deichman Library was built on Carl Deichman’s vision of making knowledge accessible to everyone. By donating his book collection to the city, he created what would become Oslo’s first public library. For generations, books were the primary way people shared knowledge and understood the world. Today, that role is increasingly replaced by images, video and sound.
Photography has become one of the most powerful and universal forms of communication, and as Deichmanske enters a new chapter, photography will not simply be displayed, it will shape the entire experience.
The project spanned more than a year and involved site visits, presentations, and close collaboration with the owners, architects, the Cultural Heritage Management Office, and city representatives. Our work covered everything from the overall concept and commercial positioning of the building to detailed programming of individual rooms, circulation strategies, architectural interventions, and plans for the reuse, restoration, and preservation of original furniture, shelving, and other defining elements. The final delivery served as both inspiration and a strategic blueprint for the development phase and was used in discussions with prospective tenants.
We are immensely proud of the opportunity and the outcome. The building, now officially named Deich, is scheduled to open in 2028.
For more information:
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