Kvartal 71
A home in the city
TYPE OF PROJECT: Urban development, Housing, Transformation
LOCATION: Kristiansand, Norway
CLIENT: Solon Eiendom Sør AS
COLLABORATORS: Code, Henning Larsen, Rambøll
SIZE: ca. 30 000 m² BRA, 350-400 housing units
TIMEFRAME: 2018-
STATUS FOR PROJECT: Planning stage
The new planning proposal for Kvartal 71 transforms the area that previously housed the old city hospital and lately the County Council of Kristiansand into a completely new district. A-lab proposes to establish a new urban and residential area around a grand park which in itself is over 5000m2. Kvartal 71 can thus turn into a new city neighbourhood as well as a recreational area for Kristiansand as a whole. The architectural language of the new district is a modern interpretation of the neighbouring area of Posebyen; with façade colors developed by scanning exteriors in the neighbourhood, variation in the use of façade materials, and a diverse set of architectural elements such as bay windows, portals, angled roofs and more.
Kvartal 71 will be transformed from its current use as a business park to a new destination in Kristiansand, where an active residential and urban environment communicates with the historic Kvadraturen and Posebyen. The area has been a hospital site since 1887, modernised and expanded in 1936, 1950 and in the 2000s. Parts of the building mass will be preserved and restored, while new buildings will be added, increasing the area from 20,000 to 30,000 m2.
Illustration: Facade towards Tordenskioldsgate.
Illustration: Facade towards Tordenskioldsgate.
Illustration: Recreational backyard and buildings follow the terrain levels.
Illustration: Transformation of the old western wing into housing.
Emphasis has been placed on creating an open and porous building scheme, allowing the outdoor areas to connect to the neighbouring recreational forest area of Baneheia. Today's car parks and hard surfaces are transformed into Toddaparken, a new green lung in the city, with access from the traffic grid and Tordenskjoldsgate via passages leading to walkways, plazas and different urban spaces that follow the terraced terrain levels. This creates a fantastic outdoor recreation zone and park for all age groups, with flower meadows, playgrounds and the addition of two new public squares, St. Hans Plassen and Ekserserplassen.
Illustration: Kvartal 71 wil become a green lung in the city.
Illustration: The new urban square, St. Hans Plassen.
Tordenskioldsgate will be revitalised with housing including active ground floors. An older house from 1773 is moved southwards Tordenskjoldsgate gate, opposite the historic Ekserserhuset from 1808, creating a new attractive urban square in Kristiansand, Ekserserplassen, surrounded by preserved trees.
Illustration: Facade towards Tordenskioldsgate.