On assignment from Akershus Public Transport Terminals (AKT) and in collaboration with the architectural studio tegn_3, we had the opportunity to develop a concept proposal for the revitalization of Oslo Bus Terminal.

As the third largest transport terminal in Norway, Oslo Bus Terminal accommodates approximately 50,000 travelers and facilitates the transit of over 1,350 buses daily. Additionally, many individuals consider the bus terminal their workplace.

The primary objective of this initiative was to reinvigorate the terminal, transforming it into a dynamic destination while simultaneously enhancing Norway's public transport network.

Through a collaborative effort involving tegn_3, Designit, and other partners, we endeavored to give the terminal a facelift, establish a distinct brand identity, and provide improved customer service. The culmination of our efforts resulted in a concept proposal—a visionary yet tangible hypothesis outlining the potential transformation of the terminal.

Done while at Designit Oslo.
Renderings by tegn_3.

Strategy and Design process for the concept

The strategy for the concept proposal has been to focus on the user experience first.

A bus terminal is a complex mix of traffic, logistics, digital informations, different user groups and human behaviors, practical needs, routines, security and flows.

By collaborating all together all the way since the very beginning, we had the opportunity to have service design, architecture, interior design, brand experience as well as graphic and digital design at hand during all the process.

This has given the project a common focus of all the involved, a fluid coordination of all the design disciplines and a seamless user experience.

By starting with insight, we gathered all the existing research, we interviewed both passengers and the people working at and using the terminal. We have dug into distribution of information and been a lot at the station to understand how does it work from the inside out.       

Through a lot of workshops with a large reference group we mapped out all the user needs and planned how to move on.

In addiction we have developed the brand experience aspect of the Oslo bus terminal (OBT).

It has been important to elevate OBT from being a terminal to becoming a strong Brand with its own personality, values, attributes and visual presence.

This has given OBT the possibility to reposition itself and its reputation and articulate its communication on different levels. A brand that represents a well functioning terminal with helping personnel, clear informations and service; a safe place which speaks to the audience on an emotional level; an expert commercial actor with a lot of interesting offerings; an ambassador for the beautiful city of Oslo.       

OBT is a brand that talks to the passengers as persons and take care of their real needs. Not just another bus station. A brand with a seamless and consistent presence through architecture, visual identity, communication, interior design and service.