Restoration of the former U.S. Embassy
“Ambassaden restores the building’s original dignity while also offering something new to the city, elegantly connecting the embassy to the surrounding streets of Oslo ”
Otero-Pailos Studio Contribution
Preservation Plan & Landmark commission reviews
Restoration of the original concrete facade
Preservation stewardship throughout the design and construction phases
Salvaging of the security fence and creation of fifty-one steel sculptures made from the historical artifact
As preservation architects, Otero-Pailos Studio teamed up with local preservationist Langdalen Architecture to develop a comprehensive preservation plan, participate in the Landmark commission review process, meticulously restore the original concrete facade of the Saarinen-designed landmark, and steward the preservation recommendations throughout the design and construction phases. In addition, as experimental preservationist and artist, Jorge Otero-Pailos removed the historic security fence, and transformed it into fifty-one steel sculptures.. This work of experimental preservation served multiple purposes: First, it enhanced the connection between the building’s interior and exterior, while respecting the wishes of local and international communities with a heritage stake in the site. Second, it served as a reminder of the multiple legacies embedded in the site. Third, it provided an opportunity to advocate for further experimental preservation efforts for other U.S. modernist embassies around the world via public art exhibitions. To date, the sculptures have been exhibited in London, New York and Washington D.C. and have been the subject of multiples public programs in partnership with esteemed cultural, academic, and institutional partners.
TEAM
Client
Fredensborg SA
Lead Architects
Lund Hagem & Atelier Oslo
Preservation Architects
Erik Langdalen Architecture & Otero-Pailos Studio
Landscape Architects
LCLA & SLA Architects
Interior Architects
Paulsen & Nilsen
Engineers
Bollinger & Grohmann
Awards
The City of Oslo’s Architecture Prize (Oslo bys arkitekturpris)
Design Award of Excellence from DoCoMoMo US
OMA Awards for Transformation Project of the Year
PRESS
Andrew Ayers, Architectural Record, “Diplomatic Design Reinvents the Former U.S. Embassy in Oslo” (Feb. 1st. 2024)
Archival images
Advocacy through experimental preservation
Our heritage plan called for salvaging the historic security fence that surrounded the building. Otero-Pailos Studio advocated for preserving the act of taking it down. With the help of local workers, Otero-Pailos Studio transformed fragments of this artifact into fifty-one steel sculptures.
This work of experimental preservation served multiple purposes: First, it enhanced the connection between the building’s interior and exterior, while respecting the wishes of local and international communities with a heritage stake in the site. Second, it serves as a reminder of the multiple legacies embedded in the building. Third, it provides an opportunity to advocate for further preservation efforts for other U.S. modernist embassies around the world via public art exhibitions. The sculptures have been exhibited in London, New York and Washington D.C. and have been the subject of multiples public programs in partnership with esteemed cultural, academic, and institutional partners.
Sculptures exhibition and public programs history
2021: American Fence Exhibition at Holtermann Fine Art and Regent’s Park, London
2024: Analogue Sites Exhibition on the Malls of Park Avenue, New York
Discussion with Jorge Otero-Pailos and visual artist and Columbia University School of the Arts Visual Arts Program Chair, Matthew Buckingham
Photo credits:
Oslo National Archives (for historic images) ; Erik Langdalen (for restored concrete facade image) ; Einar Ansladen (for restored exterior and interior images) ; Hacienda Films (for removal and transformation of the fence) ; Simon Cherry (for sculptures installation views on Park Avenue) ; Ollie Hamick (for 2021 Holtermann Fine Art London Exhibition) ; The National Museum of American Diplomacy (for Washington D.C. exhibition)