Various Architects are designing a new range of wooden holiday cabins ranging in size from 70-120m2. Traditional materials and exterior finishes like naturally treated wood cladding and green roofs harmonize with the Norwegian landscape. Modern, functional interiors and efficient plans provide the kinds of spaces that one would expect in a modern holiday cabin. Social spaces are prioritized, with most of the designs featuring double-height living spaces with open plan kitchens and extra loft space. Various Architects have currently developed 6 different cabins that are suitable for anyone from individuals or small families up to extended families or larger groups.
The Various Cabins Series is being designed to high environmental standards. All massive-wood construction provides a low CO2 structural system and short on-site building time with a minimal disturbance of nature. Interior finishes of locally sourced non-toxic materials provide a good interior climate while well insulated exterior walls with smartly placed window openings provide views and maximise passive solar gain. All of the cabin designs will be energy efficient and designed to function off the grid with their own self-sustained solar power system, but they can be connected to the power grid if available and desired.
More information to come. For specific inquiries, or if you are interested in a custom cabin design for a particular site, feel free to contact us!
Bergen Tomteselskap asked 3 teams to deliver proposals for the future development of the Kokstad Vest area in Bergen. Kokstad is an area of light industry, commercial development, storage, retail stores, office buildings and a hotel. The location next to Flesland Airport makes it an attractive site for future development as the airport expands. Bergen has plans to expand the Bybanen light rail system to the airport with Kokstad as the closest stop to the airport. The project site borders on the Storrinden recreational area which is a valuable natural resource for plants and wildlife.
Various Architects, Code, and Lalaland have developed a scheme for sustainable development that protects valuable green area by reducing the amount of new infrastructure though careful organisation of the roads, and compact development of a limited area of new building. The plan ties together the existing fingers of development in Kokstad with a new central Axis from Flyplassvegen up to Kokstadvegen. Instead of using cut/fill to place a road through the natural area, it is integrated into the structure of the main office development as a ramp-bridge. This creates the required parking area underneath the buildings, and creates a dynamic public floor which climbs up the landscape from the proposed Bybane stop. This exciting new office park of energy-efficient buildings would create a new gateway to Bergen.
The project is divided into three main areas:
Kokstadtorget – Dense commercial building over a public retail/service space. Includes office, hotel, retail, services, and parking.
Bjørnåsen and Barhaugmyra – “A Smarter Kokstad”. Includes light industry, technology, retail, education and culture.
Lonemyra – Sustainable housing close to nature. includes housing, daycare, outdoor recreation, and local shops
Various Architects was asked to create a mobile air plane hangar for Solar Impulse, the Swiss long-range solar powered aircraft. In collaboration with engineers from Ramboll UK and developer of inflatable elements, Tectonicks, Various Architects developed a light, easily transportable structure in the form of a series of inflatable high pressure arcs. Through pressure the arcs lead weight to the ground.
The hangar is 60m long to cover the planes wingspan. Divided into 7 self bearing elements, that are easily connected to each other. They create and an efficient and dynamic form to be able to manage strong wind. The fabric that covers the wingspan is transparent to allow re-charging the solar batteries of the aircraft.To stay within weight requirements, anchoring is suggested to be provided locally where the hangar is erected. The structure weighs 900 kg, whilst the fan weigh 100 kg. The project remains within the 1000 kg weight limit demanded in the program.
Florø Kommune invited 4 teams of architects to a compete for the redesign and renovation of Eikefjord School. Out of 35 applying teams, Various Architects together with Kant Arkitekter in Copenhagen and Grindaker Landskapsarkitekter in Oslo qualified for the competition. The existing school is to be completely rethought and expanded to house 10 parallel classes, a new gymnasium, and improved facilities for the teachers and staff.
The project motto “Alt under ett tak” (Everything under one roof) connects existing and new buildings together under one undulating roof structure. Our proposal creates a new gathering place for the local community and a modern school that provides the kinds of educational spaces that the Norwegian school reform requires. The project set out to keep as much of the existing structures as possible because they are both a economical and environmental resources. The existing buildings would be upgraded in plan to accomodate universal access and given new exterior insulation to save energy. This would allow the budgeted money to be spent on creating the best possible new buildings for the community.
The existing classrooms are used for base areas, natural sciences, administration, and personell. Existing interior brick walls were proposed moved to dissolve the existing corridor/classrom barrier. The addition of niches and glass areas in the corridor would allow them to be used for group work or as an active part of the learning environment. The new building is formed by continuing the roof peaks of the existing buildings to create a sports hall, music room, school kitchen, cafe, foyer, library, and a large open amphitheatre with stage. The undulating roof breaks down the scale of the sports hall and creates inspiring interior spaces for the students. The entrance space becomes the heart of the new school, and potentially the cultural center for the people of Eikefjord. The new building also creates a protective frame around the school’s central courtyard by screening it from the elements.
Link Signatur from Bergen won the competition with a scheme which was not unlike our own. The Jury, however, praised our project delivery by saying the following:
“Everything under one roof” has delivered particularly thourough material for the competition. An abundance of text, drawings, and reference images give an attractive impression. The design itself also shows a clear engagement and impressive well of ideas.”
Norwegian Property (NPRO) organized an open architecture competition for a new restaurant and service building at the Tingvallautsikkeren, part of the Aker Brygge waterfront in Oslo.
Our design strives to create a new public destination at Aker Brygge. By placing the restaurant on the northern side of the site, we created an inviting, open space to the south that connects visitors back to the fjord. Outdoor elements of long wooden logs have been randomly distributed along the space, functioning as outdoor furniture and as objects for children to climb on and enjoy.
The proposed design is flexible both in form and in function. It adapts to the climate and the natural light throught the seasons. The large glass facades of the restaurant are removable. In summer, they open up to connect the outdoor and indoor areas. In winter, the facades are closed protecting the visitors from the cold weather outside, providing a cosy and intimate atmosphere with good views of the fjord.
Renovation and addition of high-end boutique and office space in a historically listed structure at the entrance to Grunerløkka in Oslo.
Various Architects have been invited by Grindaker landscape architects to collaborate on an exciting competition for the revitalization of Åmot, the center of Vinje County in Norway. Åmot is the crossroads for east-west traffic on E134 and north-south traffic from southern norway to Rauland and beyond.
Three teams have been invited to come with fresh ideas for a centrally located site in Åmot that includes Vinje Kro and the site of the burned down Vinje Turisthotel. Project delivery in late February 2009.