Oslo, Norway. There was snow all over the sloping planes. And people: climbing up to the top just for the sake of it, and coming to see each other. The opera in Oslo is located on a peninsular within a bay. The square that usually goes along with such landmark buildings in cities is not in front, but on top of it because it is surrounded by water. Therefore, the building cannot be seen like a monument, it can only be used as a platform. The façade is no longer representative, but active. There is nothing to look at, but only something to do with: pick-nicks, open-airs, performances, shows, seeing and be seen, or just the everyday. And this makes it a truly modern public building – or rather a place for people.