Protected building gets a new lease of life

Domkirkeplass 3 was built in 1962 and formerly housed Norges Bank. The building has undergone a change of use and now houses the restaurant Ostehuset and some newly renovated office space.

Working with listed buildings is technically very challenging and exciting. Older buildings are often in need of major fire technical upgrades, which must be seen in the context of the Swedish National Antiquarian's requirements for the rehabilitation of the buildings. The preservation of Cathedral Square 3 includes the building's exterior, the interior main staircase running through all floors, the internal staircase from the ground floor to the lower floor, the vault, the entire first floor with mezzanine, the entire bank counter and the woven carpets hanging on the wall, the second floor and parts of the fifth floor.

Cathedral Square 3 was purchased in 2017 by Camar, who engaged BrannCon to assist with fire technical advice related to the change of use and renewal of the building.

From the start of the project, there has been a good and constructive dialogue between the fire authority, the architect and the protection authority in order to find solutions that meet the Riksantikvaren's requirements for protection, the builder's and tenant's requirements for healthy operation as well as the technical requirements for fire safety in the building.

The construction project is a successful example of how to give new use to existing buildings with conservation or conservation requirements while preserving and perpetuating the history of the building.

With room for 200-300 people, HSE must be at the forefront.

Johnny Carlos Langelandsvik - General Manager at Ostehuset.