Oslo-based architecture and landscape practice LCLA office has created an "abstract geography", containing different shapes of aluminium tables and objects as "a space of literature".

Created for the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair - the world's largest trade fair for books - the office won a competition to design Norway's guest of honour pavilion for the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair. The 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair was held between October 16 - 20, 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany.  

The pavilion shows how the literature can be read in different ways and be interacted in a more dynamic accumulations with its poetic narrative. 

The pavilion, named Norway tells, it represents Norway with a spatial dimension containing literature in multiple ways. The competition asked to define a spatial concept as well as help in determining how the different activities related to Norway's contribution will be developed in the space.

"The project is about literature as space. As a collective of objects, the aluminium tables and shapes create an interior landscape," said LCLA office.  

"The field of tables and their distinct forms do not evoke the Norwegian landscape directly, which is always a temptation when presenting Norway abroad." 

"The forms refer to the abstract geography contained in Norwegian literature — the imagined landscapes."

Each one of the tables is linked in shape and content to a different Norwegian poem that contains indirect references to landscape. There are two distinct spaces divided by a single wall. All activities that are attended by large groups will happen behind the wall and towards the pavilion's large windows.

Selected Norwegian artists and design objects are also presented in the interior landscape. The proposal suggests that there is a strong connection between art, design and literature in Norway.

After the book fair, the life of each character persists as some of the elements move to selected German libraries and book stores.
Each table was designed as a permanent object with excellent craftsmanship not typical of temporary events. They were originally designed to be able to stand outdoors or even become park furniture.

Plan of the pavilion

Colored objects used at the pavilion

All images © Luis Callejas

> via LCLA office