Sentralbadet Scenekunsthus opens at Nøstet in March 2027, in Bergen's iconic swimming hall from 1960. The historic building is being transformed into a modern production and performing arts house with two main stages, studios, workshops and a café behind the recognisable glass facade. Sentralbadet is the home of Carte Blanche - Norwegian national dance company and Bergen Internasjonale Teater, while 25% of the capacity is reserved for external performing arts organisations. Together, they create a broad and varied programme throughout the year.

Sentralbadet Scenekunsthus required a brand with enough weight and distinctiveness to establish itself in the Norwegian cultural landscape. At the same time, it had to speak well beyond the already converted arts audience: to achieve commercial viability, the house must reach new audiences, lower the threshold for the uninitiated, and make performing arts relevant to 'Bergensers' and visitors alike, who have not yet found their way to performing arts. A key principle of building an accessible house in all regards gave context to the strategy and creative direction that the brand should follow.

We developed the brand story and concept "Scenekunst beveger" (Performing Art moves) — as the guiding principle for the brand. The duality is central: the art is always in motion, and it has the power to move people, cities and society.

At the core of the visual language is the Dynamic S, a graphic element that lives both inside and outside the logo. It brings energy, dynamics and expressive form into the brand in a way that allows it to evolve and move over time. At a conceptual level, the Dynamic S is informed by movement, expression and sound as inputs that influence its form, a direct extension of the art-forms housed within Sentralbadet.

The colour palette is anchored in the building's history as a public swimming hall without being literal, and the layout system is inspired by the lane lines on the pool floor, giving structure to a fluid identity.

The project continues, and more is to come ahead of the public opening in March 2027.

Imagery of performing arts in the case study provided by Bergen Internasjonale Teater and Carte Blanche – The Norwegian national company of contemporary dance.