imago musicae the title 'imago musicae' is to be read as a programmatic description of the architectonical topic for the new opera-house in oslo. in accordance with graphical notations of music and dance, a multilayered, dynamic fugue evolves in space and time.

architectonical rhythm unified in spite of their different rhythms, the structural trajectories fluctuate in counter-movement and amplitude. this reference to the voices and lines of a musical composition is manifested in a 'score for architecture' and corresponds to the functional procedures within the building.

organizational system the various, functionally ordered units are systematically placed in slices and evolve out of their inherent rhythm: rehearsals, public areas, auditoria, offices, stages, workshops etc. incorporating a wide spectrum of functional procedures, the units are clocked in different tempi and form specific amplitudes, maxima and minima. the precise and well synchronized interplay in height and integral layout secures the necessary separations and interconnections between programmatical layers and functional units.

topographical architecture topographical character of the project is founded upon its meaning as the first norwegian operahouse. its main concern is a multi-facetted relation to the land of norway with its typical topography of rolling hills, fjords and islands, a syntactic reference to its immediate surroundings is ascertained through the opera-house's character as a transitional catalyst between nature, city and art.

building park the operahouse's roof is understood as an artificial parkscape, it functions as the interconnection between the city and the new park on the waterfront between bjrvika and bispevika and herewith formulates an answer to the location of the site at the banks of the oslo fjord with its neighbouring islands and rolling hills.

building use the new operahouse offers besides its designated function, various other possibilities of use: while the roof is a public meeting place, viewpoint and space for diversified artistic activities, it is also a gateway to the park. arriving from the city, the flaneur is lead up to the outdoor performance areas by the stage tower, (which is equipped with projection surfaces) to the waterside edge of the building and finally down into the park and on to the waterfront. an outdoor orchestra shell at the rear end of the building can be used to practice outdoor or play for passers-by on sunday mornings. the restaurant, wich is located on the ground floor by the main entrance with direct access to the lobby and an outdoor space, is also publicly accessible without interference with the opera. it is the intention of the proposal to donate a landmark and trigger a 'positive impact' on the city of oslo.