Oslo, Norway
2012 - 2020
Transitions between archipelago and the city
The Opera House as your neighbor
Since 2000 the development of Oslo has followed the Fjord City masterplan for areas fjord waterfront. The Opera House was built according to this plan. In 2012 Vandkunsten Architects won the competition for two plots in the Bispevika area neighboring the Opera neighborhood. It is currently under construction.
The new residential area is located on the waterfront in central Oslo. Contrasting the dense and high buildings behind it, we have used characteristics from natural archipelagos that is a series of spatial transitions – from the open sea to the calm inland waters – and to the little rock you climb with the feeling of being the very first.
Local slate on the facade
A picture from the building site with slate on the facades and windows in wood and aluminum.
Experience living by the water
A closer relationship to the water is experienced on the new bridges and inland water that bring the water higher and closer.
Urban life on the Fjord
The plot is unique and located on the waterfront of the Oslo Fjord. It is and neighboring the magnificent Opera House with amazing views and recreational qualities. At the same time it is near the urban center and the intense density of the nearby Opera Quarters
Urban oasis
”We want to add qualities to the area of living so close to the water. In fact we raise the water level locally to bring the water closer. Our approach is quite Danish. In order to keep the complex low-rise, we built very dense and have worked intensely on the spaces between the buildings.”
– Jan Albrechtsen, architect MAA, partner
Private and public merge and separate
Several of the houses relate to the public promenade as well as a more domestic inland and calmer water surface which will become an important part of the semiprivate outdoors area for inhabitants.
Life between buildings
The neighborhood will be a destination for locals as well as tourist so the residential area has different and refined private and public zones. It should be wonderful to visit and one should feel at home in one’s own neighborhood.
Project facts
Facts
Project name: Housing in Bispevika
Category:Housing
Client: Oslo Sentrum Utvikling A/S
Location: Oslo, Norway
Gross area: 35.000 m²
Date: 2012 - 2020
Status: Stage 1 finished
Number of units: 300
Project
Program: Housing
Activity: Architecture, landscape, urban space
Job type: 1. prize in competition
Construction system: Steel. concrete, wood, slate
Contact: Elena Astrid Rojas, ear@vandkunst.dk
Project group: Elena Astrid Rojas, Emma Hansson, Anders Damsgaard-Sørensen, Lars Rex Christensen, Niels Pedersen, Pernille Schyum Poulsen, Jan Albrechtsen, Thomas von der Maase, Susanne Schelde
Team
Architect: Vandkunsten Architects