Two terraces of homes in an Oslo suburb that take full advantage of the natural setting.LiveNorwaySmall
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In 2018 we were commissioned by Bonum Properties to design eight new family homes in a residential area north-west of central Oslo.
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The site, on Slyngveien, slopes down to a small river and has a cluster of pine trees. Our brief was to minimise the impact on this natural setting, maximising daylight into the homes and offering generous outdoor spaces.
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Our reading of the site led us to develop an idea for two terraces of four homes, each with three floors and a private rooftop terrace.
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Sitting partly submerged in the lush, sloping terrain, every home has direct contact with the surrounding landscape. The lower levels form a base for entry into the private garages, with the main entrance on one side and access into the gardens on the other.
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Inside, the social zones – kitchens and living rooms – are arranged with an open plan to maximise views out into the landscape, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide continuous daylight. Due to the slope of the site, some windows look out into the tree canopy, others give direct access to the garden.
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To maintain a light expression, French balconies and rooftop terraces are detailed with slim steel railings, and the window frames have a similar lightness of touch.
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To take advantage of the maximum regulated height, the stairs leading to the roof terrace are sealed with custom-made glass skylights which pivot open, allowing natural light to filter into the centre of the plan.
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The buildings have a conventional wood construction with thoroughly refined detailing to give a feel of solidity and quality.
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The main structure is composed of insulated wood and panelling with integrated ventilation. The darker-stained window to the outside is complemented by a softer, brighter interior.
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