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New Edvard Munch Museum in Oslo by Herreros Arquitectos to Open in 2020

architecture-design · 2026-04-27

The new Munch Museum in Oslo, designed by Spanish firm Herreros Arquitectos, is set to open in 2020 in the Bjørvika district. The 24,500-square-meter building, named Lambda, features a concrete core and a dynamic steel-and-glass circulation structure. It will house Edvard Munch's collection, including monumental works like 'Alma Mater' and 'The Sun,' with galleries specifically sized for different formats. The museum aims to be a cultural and social hub, integrating public spaces such as a lobby, event hall, library, and shop. A chain of escalators leads visitors through five exhibition floors. The project is part of the Museum Island development, which also includes a bronze sculpture by Tracey Emin titled 'The Mother.' The museum's design prioritizes protection from light, humidity, and theft, with bunker-like concrete walls. Architects Juan Herreros and Jens Richter emphasize the museum's role as a non-elitist, welcoming space for all citizens, reflecting Norwegian societal ideals.

Key facts

  • The new Munch Museum in Oslo is designed by Spanish firm Herreros Arquitectos.
  • The museum is located in the Bjørvika district and is part of the Museum Island development.
  • The building, named Lambda, has 24,500 square meters of museum and public spaces.
  • It features a concrete core and a dynamic steel-and-glass structure for vertical circulation.
  • The museum will house Edvard Munch's collection, including 'Alma Mater' and 'The Sun.'
  • Galleries are sized specifically for different formats, from prints to monumental paintings.
  • Public spaces include a lobby, event hall, library, shop, and cafe.
  • A chain of escalators takes visitors through five exhibition floors.
  • The museum is designed to protect the collection from light, humidity, and theft.
  • Tracey Emin's bronze sculpture 'The Mother' will be installed on Museum Island.
  • The museum aims to be a non-elitist cultural and social hub for all citizens.
  • The project was won in a 2008 competition and is scheduled to open in 2020.

Entities

Artists

  • Edvard Munch
  • Tracey Emin
  • Juan Herreros
  • Jens Richter
  • Stein Olav Henrichsen

Institutions

  • Herreros Arquitectos
  • Munch Museum
  • Oslo Opera House
  • Artribune
  • estudio Herreros
  • Satyricon
  • Munch Museum (MUNCH)
  • Herreros

Locations

  • Oslo
  • Norway
  • Bjørvika
  • Museum Island
  • Løten
  • Tøyen
  • Fjord City

Sources