Finely curated in the design of the spaces and the choice of materials, the project in the Fagerborg district – a historical and central context in Oslo – reinterprets a piece of the city as an ‘urban village’, rediscovering the richness of living together. Realized after winning a public competition, the intervention consists of three residential buildings for a total of 16 apartments.
Reiulf Ramstad told us the guiding idea of the project, as mixing different housing types to address different targets, both by gender and age. “There are in fact duplex apartments that do not reach 40 square meters, designed for singles or young couples but also for couples over seventy, and families, ranging from 70 to one 120 square meters,” explains the architect. “This way we enhance a heterogeneous social fabric with children, elderly people, students...”
In Norway the city becomes a village
A small-scale urban intervention in the historic centre of Oslo reinterprets a piece of the city as an urban ‘village’. Domus talks about it with its author, architect Reiulf Ramstad, founder of the Norwegian studio RRA.
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Project Reiulf Ramstad Architects. Photo Ivar Kvaal
Drawing Reiulf Ramstad Architects
Drawing Reiulf Ramstad Architects
Drawing Reiulf Ramstad Architects
Drawing Reiulf Ramstad ArchitectsPr
Drawing Reiulf Ramstad Architects
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- Laura Ragazzola
- 17 June 2020
- Oslo, Norway
- RRA
- residential
- 2020
So a sort of small town, an urban ‘village’?
Yes, this is the idea that lies in the redesign of the city, through an operation, not simple, that we call ‘filling’ within the already defined urban fabric, as in this case. It’s about creating spaces and contexts where people can feel good, but above all to meet, share ideas, discover opportunities to relax together, to enjoy themselves, to have fun... The three buildings have become a landmark, a bit like a ‘neighbourhood bar’, around which the social and cultural life of this piece of the city revolves. Thanks also to the creation of common areas, such as the large roof terrace of one of the three condominiums: a sort of semi-public park, open to all tenants. I think the culture of meeting is important and should be cultivated at all ages. Having a ‘good neighbourhood’ is an essential factor and architecture must work in this direction... After all, the lockdown imposed by the Coronavirus, that forced and prolonged isolation, has made us understand how important it is to ‘stay together’, has even rekindled the desire for sociality, becoming the stimulus to rethink more empathic and liveable cities.
What do you think is the model to follow?
Today we talk about ‘15 Minutes City’ to indicate an urban context where you can find everything you need a quarter of an hour from home. You can, for example, walk to the workplace, school, but also to the stores for shopping, or to the theatre or park. In short, it’s a matter of rediscovering the city as a different place, able to offer a recreational and not only working landscape. After all, there are plenty of examples to draw inspiration from. And I’m thinking of the town-borgs of Italy, where I lived for ten years when I was a young student (his perfect Italian proves it). We must rediscover that wealth of sociality: it is a rare heritage that I have always treasured both in life and in my profession.
- Reiulf Ramstad Architects
- Aspelin Ramm
- Oslo, Norway
- 2020
The project is closely linked to the historical context of the Fagerborg district in the centre of Oslo to combine tradition and innovation and offer a high architectural quality both in the design and in the choice of materials.
The residential complex consists of three blocks of different heights. To the north are the two smaller buildings, where four and two apartments on each floor alternate. The taller building has a more complex typology, hosting 6-8 units per floor with always different dimensions. In general, the smaller units are concentrated on the lower levels, while the upper floors have more breathing space. The idea is to create a diversified offer of apartments, also in terms of cost, to create a socially diverse community.
Exposed bricks design the facades, while the interior reveals the concrete structure, mitigated by the presence of oak wood, which finds its maximum expression in the sculptural staircase, the distribution pivot of the floors in the tallest building.
Skylights cut the ceiling lights, creating striking blades of light in common areas.
Large windows open the apartments to the outside, framing selected views of the urban landscape.
Second floor plan
Fifth floor plan
East facade
South facade
Sketch of the project