top of page
PCV 6
West facade
East facade
Plan
North facade
ABOUT
A project of four terraced houses in a row is located in one of the most attractive residential areas in Trondheim: Berg. The plot is placed on a few meters high hill, overlooking the adjacent university campus – NTNU and the surrounding greenery. Undeniable asset of this location is also proximity of old city center and the connection by transport infrastructure. Access to the plot is provided by safe, private road that joins directly to the cycle path. Thanks to this solution - the plot situated in the heart of the district is perfectly connected to the other major streets, but at the same time it is not exposed to excessive noise or heavy traffic. Another advantage of this area is friendly character and not expansive architecture of neighboring single family homes, and the beauty of local nature. Preserving the character of the district and existing urban structure was one of the key factors that was consider during designing process.
The new architecture takes into account not only the building limits imposed by the urban office, but also the scale, height and type of the surrounding buildings as well as the condition of the area. The form of houses, their cascades setting and partial depressions in the ground result from the shape and natural slope of the terrain, while the size and scale of buildings is an effect of regulatory arrangements and designing aimed at optimal use of space. The creative transformation of the typical features of functionalism has created an architecture that expresses trends and preferences of the present. This peculiar variation has traces of modern aesthetics and the latest technical achievements, becoming a reliable document of its time. Clean forms, flat roofs, large glazing, roof terrace or simple facades without ornaments– so typical for traditional functionalism – got completely new character. In the representative northern elevation the main entrances to the buildings have been clearly marked. They are signalized not only by the wall finishing material - a natural stone in dark color – but also by a sculptural form of a spiral staircases just above them.
Its fluid, organic line strongly contrasts with the simple and cubic structure of the building. What’s more stairs that lead to the roof terrace are elements that have a dual function - stairs leading to the second storey and part of the slab above the ground floor. The independent exit to the roof terrace from the outer staircase allows the terrace to be freely used by all residents, without limiting the functionality and space of other rooms. The openwork wall around the stairwell forms an interesting, spatial shape that in the evening creates an unusual play of lights. A similar type of intermediate zone between the interior and the outer space was designed at the opposite side of building – on southern wall. Balconies wrapped in white ribbon are additionally closed with movable glass panels that protect against potential noise. Large windows open the building to the outer space, but furthermore give quite simple building depth and interestingly split its solid form. Balconies on the southern wall open far view, enhancing the aesthetic qualities and optically enhancing the living area. Elements that hold together significantly the new architecture and the surrounding environment are façades.
The type of used materials determines the final character and expression of the new structure. The white frame that wraps the building creates an interesting contrast to the rest of the materials. The almost black sandstone, dark windows frames and a wooden cladding board, kept in a warm brown tone refer to the surrounding traditional buildings. Thanks to these solutions, the object is not a strange solid form in this traditional space but its integral element, creating kind of bridge between traditional and modern architecture. Consistency and stylistic cohesion, that combined in this project, create a comfortable and functional space for living and form a new tile in mosaic of the city.
Categories
Landscape, Architecture, Houses in row, Relax
Typology
Houses in row
Status
2016 - Preliminary project
Location
Prost Castbergs veg 6, Trondheim, Norway
Size
620m2, 4 housing units
Construction
Site - built
Customer
bottom of page