TUNTREET
BIKUBEN IS BUZZING WITH LIFE Iris van Brunschot Journalist & photographer Vetle Rakkestad Translator
The completely new meeting point «Bikuben» is now open on campus. I brave the cold weather to pay a visit a Wednesday at midday. What does this new exciting place have to offer for the students? A lot more than a cafeteria The first thing that comes to my mind is the buzzing life in the modern room in front of me. The large windows throw lots of natural lighting and makes a positive and relaxed atmosphere. Several students are already seated by the tables, but also workers and lecturers have found their places in the seating areas. Some of them have chosen to sit on the steps in «Amfiet», the amphitheatre to eat lunch. You easily feel welcomed at this new place, because you will find something for everybody; if you’re hungry, want social interaction, or have a large project to be delivered the next day. There are also different types of places to read, depending on your preferences. You can for example chose to book a group room or use the quiet area. Socially Amfiet may offer post-corona screening of films and concerts among other things. 10
Edition 01 Volume 76
New heart of the campus Bikuben will be a natural gathering-point for all faculties. It will tie together both Adamstuen, the previous Ås campus and the new veterinary building by offering a social arena for all students to use on equal terms. The artwork around the new campus works as inspiration to the new gathering point. Katrin Schlegel’s Feeding on the Tree of Knowledge is a 3D-model based on lichens from the one and only Tuntreet on NMBU’s previous campus and is located on an enhancement outside the new building. The artwork hints to the upcoming colocation in Bikuben by tying together former and new students from all fields of study. The leader of the Student Parliament’s student board Tuva T. Lund says she’s happy to see the new place finished. «It’s a building with a lot of possibilities, and it’s completely up to the students to decide how they will use it. » It should be “buzzing with life” The director of administration Lars Atle Holm is also pleased with the result. He especially expresses that Bikuben initially is designed to gather students and employees on the campus, and says that the name
«Bikuben», or «The beehive» hints to the building’s intention; to be buzzing with life. Even though the project has been in danger of being shelved due to funding, the building was finally finished, and gives a completely new gathering point. Students from all faculties and programs can get the feeling of home in this new place. Honey on the menu? I meet chief architect in the Property Division, Kristin Kreul, at lunchtime. She explains that the multifunctional building is arranged for both corona-friendly socializing and events without restrictions in the future. On the first floor you will find five modern
