Shaping cities
A-lab’s portfolio covers all typologies in a city; residential housing, offices, commercial spaces, urban floors and everything in between - big and small. We believe in transforming cities into the most nature-and people friendly spaces imaginable. The more complex, the better. We thrive on decoding the complexities of urban life for people and nature. We consider ourselves to be future-oriented and will always strive to find smarter and innovative solutions for a more sustainable future
«Multidisciplinarity is the key to solving urban challenges. We specialize in all types of buildings, landscapes and urban situations, but it's the way we bring these competencies together in each project that creates the magic. By connecting the dots across disciplines, we are able to create solutions that are future proof.»
Geir Haaversen, CEO and Founding Partner of A-lab
Render by A-lab. Image showing a future Kabel gata.
Nature’s principles
Towards a more circular practice
Time is running out for continuing with business as usual. There is an urgency to change path and adopt new practices. Circularity, a concept deeply rooted in nature is gaining more traction. We see this in our field as well. Our latest project has circularity in focus, this time in a larger scale with innovation in mind. Hovinbyen is a large area that consist of several boroughs, we wanted to look at how circularity would work in this scale. Together with Civitas, we have worked on a feasibility study that explores how this can happen in Hovinbyen.
Use of resources
Creating a circular exhibition
With the focus on rehabilitating existing buildings, there is untapped potential in the recycling of old materials. What will this mean for the architectural expressions of the future, and what opportunities does it give us to create distinctive and unique interior solutions? A-lab is designing this year's Tendency Exhibition at Oslo Design Fair with a new spotlight on reuse and recycling. In collaboration with stylist Kirsten Visdal, the audience will be drawn into a universe of new and old materials offering a wealth of DIY solutions.
Rewilding
Nature as part of the urban fabric
Urban development is going through a huge shift. Today we see the need to include nature into the cities to fight global challenges and make sure human beings get their much-needed contact with natural elements in order to strengthen both physical and mental health. Søndre street is an experiment in transforming hard concrete urban surfaces to lush green areas where all age groups can play and enjoy regardless of socioeconomic background.
Enduring architecture
New take on existing sustainability norms
From designing for a building lifespan of 60 years, there is now talk of creating long lasting architecture. On the one hand, it's about returning to old ways of thinking and using materials, while at the same time utilizing innovative technology and solutions to create a new type of adaptability that allows buildings to change over time. With the development of Lilleakerbyen, developer Mustad sets an example on how to design beautiful and functional buildings that can live for over 120 years.
Social sustainability
Research on child-friendly cities
Is Oslo a child-friendly city when it comes to outdoor spaces in 2023? Investigations in this report show that Oslo still has a way to go to be a city with varied and good outdoor areas for children. Urban spaces, and especially the hard urban spaces, must take into account the needs of children. Hard urban spaces are also part of the social infrastructure and everyday spaces, which should facilitate children to use their imagination, wonder and curiosity through various phases of childhood from infancy to young adult.
Harborfront development
Leveling up Oslo’s Fjord City
Increasingly more coastal cities are recognizing the value of making the waterfront accessible to the city's population. By revitalizing the waterfront with carefully designed residential, office and cultural facilities with an activating urban floor, the city's population will be able to enjoy the recreational qualities offered by the proximity to the water. The project Grønlikaia is highlighting the connection between the challenges on land and under water, using interdisciplinary expertise to address how the landscape can work as a buffer to protect and restore the Oslo Fjord.
Mitigating climate change
Towards net zero
Architecture can be a tool to accomplish energy efficient environments. Natural ventilation creates a comfortable indoor climate and provides plenty of fresh air while keeping the outdoor air clean. Thermal buoyancy and wind are the main drivers of natural ventilation. In Casa M, eco-efficiency is incorporated into the design, with an inner courtyard. The sea breeze, which is let in at the lower level, gradually rises up to the skylights and provides natural ventilation throughout the home. In the summer, solar radiation from the skylight is controlled by means of external solar shading, while in the winter it acts as an important source of passive solar radiation.
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