DEG 42: A Revolutionary Approach to Office Architecture

A-Lab's Innovative Design Wins Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award

The design of DEG 42, also known as "The Wedge," is a direct result of a narrow and wedge-shaped leftover plot at the very end of BARCODE, an award-winning architectural gem located on the waterfront of Oslo fjord. Its iconic shape, reminiscent of the Meatpacking District in New York, is rooted in a democratic principle of bestowing all users with excellent working conditions, good lighting, and access to both formal and informal meeting spaces. The building's column-free interior makes the office spaces completely flexible and increases adaptability for the shifting needs of different tenants.

DEG 42 stands out from other office buildings due to its unique properties. It is a "small high-rise" that is tailor-made for small and innovative firms. The 12-story building holds retail on the ground level, open office floors for co-working, and a communal restaurant on top. Each floor is small, 10 meters wide at the widest and 4 meters at the most narrow. This quality has been enhanced to create an environment that can host multiple companies, one or more per floor. The best spaces in the building are reserved for the public or as common areas for all who work there.

The building's unique design features "POP OUT" boxes that serve as meeting rooms and an external fire escape. These boxes, situated on the outside of the building, expose the activity inside the building and create life and movement for the whole area. They provide spaces for brainstorming and conversations, and the outdoor stairs can be used to visit colleagues on the floor below. The boxes and stairs presented a new challenge for the designers, but they successfully overcame this to create a unique and innovative design.

The entire building envelope of DEG 42, including the cantilevering meeting room boxes, is made out of red brick. This gives the project a reference to both modern and historical architecture buildings, such as the cathedral and city hall of Oslo. It is a low energy building with a compact end energy effective plot distribution. Construction started in January 2015 and was completed in March 2016.

The design of DEG 42 has been recognized with the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2016. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.