At NMH's request, Statsbygg has explored various possibilities in the surrounding areas of Majorstua. This includes searching for plots for new buildings, considering the takeover and refurbishment of Chateau Neuf, and evaluating the possibility of leasing part of the premises vacated by NRK when they relocate from Marienlyst in 2029. No available plots within a reasonable distance have been identified, and Chateau Neuf is unsuitable. However, NRK's premises, including several studios, are highly suitable for conversion into teaching rooms, practice spaces, and dissemination/production rooms for the Norwegian Academy of Music.
NMH's future facility requirements
NMH has long been working to ensure that the country's largest music education institution has high-quality and functional facilities. However, a years-long dialogue with the Ministry of Education (KD) about potential solutions to the space shortage has not yet yielded any immediate results.
Reuse and Sustainability
The reuse of older buildings is attractive from a sustainability perspective, and it turns out that the spaces in question already meet the strict acoustic requirements for NMH facilities.
Nevertheless, in a new letter, the Ministry of Education states that they do not want NMH to proceed with plans to lease NRK's premises at Marienlyst. They refer to the state's general policy of owning, rather than leasing, purpose-built facilities. Additionally, they note that the project would require increased funding for NMH in the national budget, which is highly constrained in the current situation.
What NMH desires is tailored to NMH’s needs and is therefore classified as a purpose-built facility. The state’s general policy is to own such premises.
in a letter to NMH
Principal Astrid Kvalbein and Acting Director Kjetil Solvik will continue dialogue with the Ministry to work towards solutions to the space shortage, which many at NMH experience daily.
Visit by the Minister
On Friday, April 10, the Minister for Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, visited NMH. The visit provided NMH with a valuable opportunity to highlight its needs and ambitions for the future, including the requirement for new and better-adapted facilities.
Excerpts from the Ministry Research and Higher Education’s Letter
– KD highlights that the premises NMH desires are tailored to NMH’s needs and thus classified as a purpose-built facility. The state’s policy is to own such premises. NMH and Statsbygg have explored whether Ferd is willing to sell the relevant premises in the Radio Building to the state. Ferd has indicated that this is not desirable on their part:
"In order to secure the most advantageous leasing option for the state, multiple offers must be obtained. In this case, NMH and Statsbygg have entered into direct negotiations with Ferd, which violates the requirement to obtain multiple offers."
The Ministry’s assessment is that NMH cannot cover the increased rent or investment in user equipment within an unchanged budget framework. The scope for new construction projects is limited, and it is unlikely that funding for expanded facilities for NMH will be prioritised.
Based on the above, the Ministry of Education has decided that NMH should not proceed with an alternative involving the leasing of the Radio Building at Marienlyst.