To ensure that Grønlikaia becomes a great place to live and spend time, Hav Eiendom wished to engage the best national and international urban planners to contribute. In collaboration with Oslo Havn, Hav Eiendom conducted 5 parallel assignments related to the design of the areas Verket, Lohavn, Grønlikilen, Munkehagen, and Bufferzonen. Tegnestuen Vandkunsten, along with a team consisting of DET BLÅ, Brendeland Kristoffersen, R21 Arkitekter, Gartnerfuglen Arkitekter, and consultants Leva, DHI, Røisland & Co, and Dr.techn. Olav Olsen, participated in the parallel assignment for Munkehagen as the main consultant.

Munkehagen has the potential to become a unique neighborhood unlike what currently exists in Bjørvika today. The size of the sub-area provides flexibility in terms of urban spaces and volume distribution, which can offer housing qualities specifically aimed at alternative forms of living, where outdoor areas support community life. For example, a variety of housing types can contribute to a socially sustainable neighborhood: houseboats and lakefront residences. We recommend that 10% of each construction phase consists of alternative housing forms, such as self-built homes, collaborative housing, and youth housing, combined with numerous communal areas.

We call our proposal “The Necklace” and offer a plan that socially anchors the project with generous and diverse public spaces accessible to everyone in Oslo.

The new area offers well-defined frameworks for urban activities around a new central landscape space – the lagoon – a protected harbor basin with good water circulation surrounded by floating buildings of varied scales. At the heart of this harbor space lies the historical Blockmurskaien and a local town square called Munkehagens central square. It is in this west-facing waterfront space that the focal point for communal urban life and activity resides.

The Necklace’s main concept is based on the principle balance of the circular economy between social sustainability and the Earth’s tolerance limits. To minimize the impact on the tolerance limits in urban development, we depend on reducing artificially created building sites. Therefore, the buildings are placed on the water along a pile-founded harbor promenade, forming a necklace around the inner water mirror of the lagoon. Hence the name “The Necklace.” The communal gathering point arises from a necessity: Build lightly and openly, minimize artificial land, and offer optimal lighting conditions out on the water.

The project is one of the most exciting ventures that has been offered in a long time, and its location and the nature of the task make it a once-in-a-lifetime project to be a part of.

After eagerly waiting for the decision for several months, we are now incredibly excited about the future collaboration with Hav Eiendom and Oslo Havn!