𝗞𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗼/

Mestres Wåge Arquitectes, Mendoza Partida, BAX Studio.

Norway

Location(City/Country):

Kristiansand / Norway

Tipology:

Adaptive Reuse

Year (Design/Construction):

2016 / 2024

Area (Net/Gross):

8850 m2 / 10300 m2

Operational Carbon emissions (B6) kgCO2e/m2/y:

Embodied Carbon emissions (A1-A3) kgCO2e/m2:

The project retained the original 1930s grain silo designed by Korsmo and Aarsland, conserving industrial heritage and avoiding the environmental impact of demolition.
By reusing the concrete silos and structural elements, the transformation significantly lowered the carbon footprint compared with new construction.
Contemporary insulation, ventilation, and lighting were integrated to meet museum standards, ensuring sustainable operation and optimal climate control for artworks.
Kunstsilo revitalised a former industrial site into a vibrant cultural quarter, promoting sustainable urban development through the reuse of land and infrastructure.

Kunstsilo is a landmark example of adaptive reuse, transforming a 1930s grain silo on Odderøya, Kristiansand, into an international art museum. The original structure, designed by Korsmo and Aarsland – leading figures of the Norwegian functionalist movement – has been carefully rehabilitated and reimagined to serve a new cultural purpose.

Today, Kunstsilo forms part of Kristiansand’s vibrant cultural quarter, alongside the Kilden Performing Arts Centre and the Knuden Cultural School, reflecting strong local, regional, and international ambitions. The museum houses the renowned Tangen Collection, one of the most significant collections of Nordic modern art, and offers a wide range of cultural experiences.

This project exemplifies how adaptive reuse can conserve industrial heritage while reducing environmental impact compared with new construction. Under the leadership of Director Maria Mediaas Jørstad, Kunstsilo champions accessibility, diversity, and international collaboration, positioning itself as a hub for cultural innovation.

Internationally recognised by TIME and The New York Times, and awarded the Prix Versailles World Award in December 2025 as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Museums, Kunstsilo has become a global benchmark for adaptive reuse and architectural transformation.