Oseberg Viking Heritage has won yet another contract for the Midgard Viking Center in
Borre. This time, a loft will be built in the Gildehall.
By Einar Chr. Erlingsen
OVA is the general contractor for the construction project, which involves installing a loft on
both sides of the hall along its length. The loft will be built at the height of the top of the
walls, approximately three meters high.
According to construction manager Jan Vogt Knutsen, the purpose of adding a loft is to
improve the lighting in the hall so that the lamps are no longer visible. Spotlights will be
recessed, and floodlights will be installed above the loft to create more indirect lighting.
Additionally, the color of the lighting can be adjusted to create special atmospheres. The
project will also accommodate the placement of sound equipment.
For OVA, the assignment includes not only project management but also the construction of
the loft itself, which will be hand-planed underneath to avoid machine marks. The same
applies to the large supporting beams.
Work is set to begin around March 1st and is expected to continue until just before Easter.
Some of OVA’s boatbuilders will continue working on Saga Gokstad at the shipyard in
Tønsberg, as will our department in Sandefjord.
Translated from Norwegian by ChatGPT.
MAJOR PROJECT: Our construction manager Jan Vogt Knutsen and his team are
undertaking an extensive project in the Gildehall at the Midgard Viking Center. A loft will be
built along both sides of the hall. (Photo: Håvard Solerød).
HALL BUILDERS: Most of our craftsmen have taken a break from shipbuilding to work on
the Gildehall in Borre instead. The work is expected to be completed around Easter. (Photo:
Håvard Solerød).