Various Architects have been comissioned by the owners of Storgata 25 to radically redesign the main spaces of the building where we currently have our offices. This centrally located office building was formerly used as the administration offices for the Oslo Opera, and included the King’s Lounge. After the Opera moved to their new building in Bjørvika, the building is in need of a complete renovation of the four empty office-floors and common spaces.
The proposed scheme creates a wholistic concept for the building, including a new entrance, circulation, and typical floor layout. The design focuses on the courtyard at the core of the building. By creating terraces in different levels in the atrium we provide additional common spaces to the offices. In addition we created a new stair from the lobby to the terraces which activates the atrium during daily use as the main vertical communication, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. A bridge that spans across the back at each floor allows for more flexible configuration of the office spaces. The bridges allow the floors to be divided into smaller rentable areas without losing space to internal circulation.
The new proposal would allow the courtyard to be an outdoor space with some sheltered areas, or it could be inclosed and transformed into an atrium. In future phases the design of the covering will be further developed. Lightweight structure, such as EFTE, will be explored as well as traditional glazing.
A 3 bedroom holiday cabin with associated yoga retreat overlooking the north sea on an island outside of Ålesund, Norway. The project brief is to create a unique and environmentally friendly yoga complex on a beautiful, but difficult site within a moderate budget.
Our design includes a vertical cabin for the family complimented by a spare horizontal volume with 3 bedrooms for the yoga senter. 3 additional rooms in the form of individual wooden cubes are spread throughout the site. The site was purchased for a low price due to it’s steep slope and difficult terrain. To save money on siteworks the current design places all volumes over existing terrain.
A private client asked Various Architects to create a dramatic new swimming pool and guesthouse for their property on the island of Ulvøya in the Oslofjord. The existing house is sited on a dramatic wooded cliff, with a panoramic overview of the Oslofjord, islands, and downtown oslo. The new pool design will replace an existing pool and deck to add needed room for their growing family and visiting guests. The project will also include a wine-cellar for the client’s collection of rare and vintage wines.
After almost two years, and several revisions of the project to meet the demands of the planning department, construction has begun. The project scope has been reduced to a new pool and deck area outside, combined with a new basement extension, and complete remodel of the existing house. Extra bedrooms have been added within the existing building by optimisation of the plan and an extension under the existing balcony.