Commercial domicile in Oslo

Commercial

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The commercial domicile situated in Østensjøveien 27 has focus on daylight, spatial layout and sustainable materials. The building integrates the surrounding urban space as a direct part of its spatial qualities while also giving something back by opening up to the city so the in-house activities enrich the surrounding city life.

The building consists of two office units divided into two wings. The wings are connected by a large central panopticon where displaced, cubic meeting rooms stretch out into and fill up the atrium. A staircase winds all the way up through the panopticon providing users with contact and access to the individual floors.

The cafeteria is situated in one end of the panopticon and has direct access to a peaceful south-facing courtyard with large, light hardwood trees letting the light flow down through the tree crowns. A rippling water wall shields the courtyard from the noise and traffic of the city.

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Project facts

Location:	Olso, Norway
Client:	NCC Property Development
Gross floor area:	12,000 m2
Year of construction:	2011 - 2013
Type of assignment:	Invited dialogue competition

A modern workplace

The approach to designing modern workplaces is changing significantly. Thus, workplaces are increasingly organised as fluid spaces offering flexible zones. The rising use of computers, cable-free networks, mobile phones as well as project-oriented group work has resulted in completely new requirements for office buildings.

The most obvious architectural result of this tendency is the absence of corridors and the increased use of the floors as consistent landscapes without the traditional hierarchy.

The large courtyard adjacent to the cafeteria to the south can be used as an outdoor breathing space in summer. Thus, guests have the opportunity to enjoy their food under the tree crowns in summer - in light shade or sun and shielded from the noise of the surrounding city. In addition, the courtyard will become a new place of refuge in the city.

Flexibility

Closely connected to the reception on the ground floor, the meeting facilities of the building are situated. This location in the eastern wing close to the wardrobe, toilets and shared kitchen provides the opportunity to also let out the meeting rooms to people from the outside. There are six small meeting rooms of approx. 27 m2 each, which can be joined as required. According to the client's wish, the design also allows for the building to be converted into residences in the future. Thus, the building dept is also suitable for residential purposes.

Sustainability and Integrated Energy Design

Henning Larsen Architects takes a holistic approach as regards reducing the overall environmental impact of the building during its entire life span. In this context, this applies to energy, water, resources, materials, transport, waste etc. - however, with a particular focus on energy consumption.

In addition to the energy and indoor climate conditions, the project has also worked with sustainability in terms of materials consumption during construction, choice of cladding materials, accessibility, reduction of water consumption, waste handling, operation, usage conditions, plot maintenance etc.

The sustainable solutions have been incorporated into the project by means of Integrated Energy Design. Focus has been on:

• Low energy consumption - a minimum of low energy class 1 according to Danish building regulations or passive house
• Optimal indoor climate - for both employees and guests
• Ample daylight at all permanent workstations
• Climate-adapted building
• Flexible building supported by flexible and future-proof solutions for installations, structures and safety
• Choice of solutions with great robustness, long life span and high degree of operational reliability
• Focus on CO2 reduction - during construction and in the operation of the building, for instance by preparing CO2 accounts for selected main areas
• Annual costs - construction and operation

The experience of Henning Larsen Architects shows that cross-disciplinary collaboration from the very first design phases results in better projects for both the client and users. Therefore, we have strong focus on collaboration, communication and involvement of the right competencies at the right time.