In the centre of Bergen, a new chapter has opened for a concrete landmark designed by Egill Reimers in 1920. Once home to bakeries, offices, shops and social services, the building has been reimagined by architecture studio LOCAL as Bergen Camping, a cultural house where mini-golf, dining and performing arts meet under one roof.
“The goal was to bring new energy to a place already full of stories,” explains Elida Mosquera, partner at LOCAL. “We wanted the history to be visible, not erased, and to invite people in through experiences that are both social and spatial.” Having led the architecture, interiors and furniture design, the designers worked with the building’s owners and heritage authorities to retain the spirit of the structure while preparing it for a new audience. In the basement, visitors find a 14-hole mini-golf course unfolding across multiple rooms, with a bar and karaoke lounge amplifying the playful atmosphere.
One of the project’s key moves is the transformation of a long-unused courtyard. Now covered with glass and filled with daylight, it acts as the heart of the building, connecting the bistro, bar and stage. “The courtyard is central, both spatially and socially,” says partner Jerome Picard. “It ties the programme together and gives the place a unique identity.”
LOCAL’s approach celebrates the rawness of the building while introducing materials and details that bring contrast and warmth. Exposed concrete and brick sit alongside recycled paper wall coverings and acoustic treatments. Reflective surfaces and soft lighting add depth to the spaces, while custom furniture strengthens the identity of the venue.
For a city known for its rain and rhythm, this new cultural house by LOCAL transforms a historic Reimers building into a cultural place for performance and play.
Bergen Camping Photography, Ben Speck.
