TREKANTEN

LIGHT DESIGN

Trekanten is a brutalist building in Oslo from 1969, by the architect Erling Viksjø. Given the unusual plot, he designed the building as a perfect triangle, continuing the theme throughout the building – hence its name. The façade is sandblasted concrete; a technique he developed and patented. The building was completely renovated in 2022 by Mad Arkitekter and Radius Design, and contains offices, a canteen, a multi-purpose venue and a café.

In 2025 I was asked to help make the café more visible and inviting, to which I suggested a decorative lighting plan, among other things.

Inspired by Chinese paper lanterns, I proposed an original lamp design in dark red plexiglass to add more warmth to the grey of the concrete surfaces. In collaboration with Affix I came up with round, rectangular and triangular designs - of which the latter was chosen. Affix drew the final design, and produced and installed the 27 lamps according to plan.

The lamps were hung inside and outside along the glassed front, in varying heights, all the way up to the treetops - to lessen the contrast between the inside and outside, and make it visible from afar.

Photos by Anne Valeur.