schmidt hammer lassen chosen to design mixed-use complex in oslo

schmidt hammer lassen chosen to design mixed-use complex in oslo
renderings by beauty and the bit
all images courtesy of schmidt hammer lassen

schmidt hammer lassen architects has won an international competition to design a new retail and office complex in the norwegian capital of oslo. the entry was chosen ahead of five competing proposals, with judges appreciating the way the structure enhances the existing urban qualities at the site, and creates a new connection between the building and the city.

the building opens up and creates passages and shortcuts through the complex

the 50,000 square meter scheme consists of an interconnected building structure in which the upper floors are divided into smaller elements. from the outside, the project appears as a tight sculpture that adapts to the different scales of the site and to the city’s street profile. towards the street, the building opens up and creates passages and shortcuts through the complex. at its center, a public space is created – an urban landscape – that, as a green oasis with tall slender pine trees, reflects the façade’s vertical motif.

generous amounts of glazing flood internal volumes with daylight

‘we have designed a project that creates a synergy between the building’s daily users, the visitors to the many shops and restaurants, and the people who simply pass through the neighborhood,’ explains the project responsible and senior partner, kristian lars ahlmark. ‘with our proposal, we are turning the building’s various functions and the site’s complex topography into the focal point of the project: stairs for sitting, sloping surfaces, openings between building levels, the cuttings, the urban landscape and the atrium courtyards will all help to create new connections between the building and urban life, and will add a whole new dynamic to the historic part of oslo city.’

offices are organized in such a way as to create a wide variety of rental options

the scheme comprises approximately 10,000 square meters of mixed retail and commercial premises in the lower floors, while the upper storeys consist of around 40,000 square metres of office space. offices are organized in such a way as to create a wide variety of rental options across the different floors. in addition, several levels will have access to outdoor roof terraces with views of the city center.

an intimate courtyard is found at the center of the scheme

a scheduled completion date has been set for 2020

site plan

section

project info:

architects: schmidt hammer lassen architects
client: storebrann eiendom AS
area: 58,500 sqm
competition: 2014, first prize in international competition
scheduled construction: 2017–2020
landscape architect: schmidt hammer lassen architects
sustainability: targeting BREEAM excellent