DOGA owns two old industrial buildings along Akerselva that originally housed the transformer station for Ankertorget square. The building is currently listed on the Cultural Heritage Management Office’s ‘yellow’ list (municipal cultural monuments).
From electricity to design and architecture
The transformer station provided power for Oslo’s trams and outdoor lighting and the oldest part of the building is the old machine room. The machine room was built from 1898–1900 and updated from 1912–1913 and boasts a classic style with large steel industrial windows and patterned masonry work designed to harmonise with the nearest neighbour, Jakob Church. Nowadays, the machine room is the Hallen room, where history has been well preserved.
The substation from 1948 features a functionalist style with patterned brickwork and a very high conservation value. The renovation into the current space was carried out by Aspelin Ramm from 2003–2005 for use as a venue that can serve as an exhibition and meeting space for design and architecture. The architects responsible for the design were Jensen & Skodvin.
In addition to DOGA, the property also houses offices, retail space and apartments.
The buildings were awarded the Statens Byggeskikkpris (National Architecture Prize) in 2006, Cityprisen in 2007 and Olavsrosa (quality seal) in 2008.
Want to rent a room or venue?
DOGA has several flexible spaces that can be rented for various design and architecture-related events:
- Hallen – our largest room that accommodates up to 350 seated guests
- Mezzaninen – accommodates up to 120 seated guests
- Atriet – accommodates up to 80 seated guests
- Formlab – accommodates up to 60 seated guests
- Meeting room – accommodates up to 12 seated guests
