The development, located between Christian Krohgs gate and the Akerselva river, is in an area of Oslo characterized by buildings from many different eras that represent 1000 years of history and tell the story of the industrialization of Norway.
The goal of the project is to regenerate the area from an urban backwater, perceived as unsafe, by means of socially sustainable urban growth via densification of a very central property close to Oslo S. An interactive street façade with shops and restaurants and an increased use of commercial space will add new city life and improve security in the area. The surroundings of the Akerselva river will gain new life and be made accessible directly through the building from Christian Krohgs gate.
Green roof surfaces will be used to strengthen biological diversity. Oslo Municipality is providing a cycle path in Christian Krohgs gate and emphasis will be placed on good accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. No car parking will be included in the new development.
The development at Christians Krohgs gate will require a complex sequence of partial demolition, rehabilitation and strengthening of the existing structures. The buildings were constructed in stages from 1899 through to 1946 using different structural materials including loadbearing brickwork, cast iron and reinforced concrete.
The project will also add four new storeys to the 1899 and 1946 constructions whilst constructing an entirely new building adjacent to the river over the footprint of a 1929 factory building, to be demolished completely. All new construction will be timber due to its inherent environmental and structural advantages.
Over the entire site new piles to rock will be installed and all existing loadbearing structural elements will be underpinned.
The project combines the preservation of existing facades and load-bearing structures with new constructions, focusing strongly on material reuse and other circular principles for urban development. This forms a key part of the overall strategy where main client Entra has high environmental ambitions for the project, both in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, energy performance and materials.
Structural engineering during conceptual design stage.