Former American Embassy / Oslo, Norwegia / Multiparker 740

Making space under a listed building: automated parking in the former US Embassy in Oslo

The former US Embassy in Oslo, an architectural masterpiece designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1959, has been extensively restored and reinterpreted in an ambitious project. The building, once a symbol of an open, dynamic American society and an expression of post-war industrial aesthetics, is now a listed building and has been transformed into a modern center for offices, conferences, and gastronomy.

The architectural firms Lundhagem and Atelier Oslo carried out the redesign with a deep respect for the original design. They were supported by Erik Langdalen, Jorge Otero-Pailos, and interior designers Paulsen & Nilsen. Their goal: to preserve the original architectural clarity while meeting today's functional requirements.

Technical innovation meets historic preservation

One of the biggest challenges was integrating modern technology into the listed building without compromising its character. Instead of adding another floor, the building was expanded by excavating 12.5 meters below ground level, increasing the usable floor space from 6,100 to 9,200 square meters. This created space for an auditorium, a restaurant, new technical facilities, and, above all, parking spaces.

The parking situation posed a particular challenge, as the property was completely built up. The solution came from WÖHR Autoparksysteme GmbH: the Multiparker 740 enables the fully automatic parking of 28 vehicles on four underground levels – saving space and efficiency. Users park their vehicles at ground level in a bright, modern transfer area inside the building. An integrated turntable ensures convenient entry and exit in the direction of travel. The vehicle is transported on a pallet to the underground high-bay rack – controlled by an operating element with an RFID chip.

The system not only offers maximum use of space, but also maximum user-friendliness and safety. Integration into the listed building was carried out with extreme precision and consideration for the historical substance.

A new chapter for a historic building

Today, the building houses the headquarters of Fredensborg AS, offices of Save the Children and Amnesty International, as well as conference rooms, three public restaurants, and a café. The project is a prime example of the successful combination of heritage-appropriate architecture, modern usage concepts, and technical sophistication – with a decisive contribution from WÖHR Autoparksysteme.

Product specifications:

• WÖHR Multiparker 740
• 28 parking spaces
• 4 parking levels, each with 7 parking spaces
• 180° rotating device for convenient parking and unparking
• E-charging at all parking spaces
• Platform load max. 2.7 t
• Vehicle length max. 525 cm
• Vehicle height max. 210 cm
• Operation via RFID chip

Planowanie projektowe