schmidt hammer lassen architects has won an international competition to masterplan a 87,000-square-meter area of Skøyen in central Oslo, dubbed Eureka Kvarteret. The multi-phased plan aims to unify the area's connection to the Oslo fjord, nearby transportation hubs and its main street, Hoff, while generating a versatile new skyline that compliments its context.
“We have proposed a framework that builds upon a basic idea about the space between the buildings," explains Senior Partner Kristian Lars Ahlmark.
"By creating a strong and diverse hierarchy consisting of streets, alleys, squares and plazas, we see a future city centre that will become a catalyst for the dense urban development of Skøyen. In this new centre everyday users or passersby will not only feel safe but also intrigued by the surroundings. By using the already existing qualities of the area, the central link to downtown Oslo, the public transportation hub and the presence of the Hoff river as natural drivers, we create a strong presence and interaction with the context."
"The scheme is rational with a clear 'main street' network connected across North-South and East-West directions," adds the practice. "These routes divide the site into five clearly readable blocks. Within these fields, we are working with high rise and open block structures, generating internal passageways, shortcuts and promenades, making room for an extra layer in the street hierarchy. The design is flexible due to future demands for changing use and functions."
