Transformator
Oslo, Norway
2005-2011
Designed by one of the notable contemporary architects in Norway, architect Harald Hals, the apartment building Torshov Kvartal VIII in Oslo is one of the largest municipal housing facilities from 1920. Social housing and garden cities in Europe inspired its master plan. At the heart of this backyard, an uninviting private building, earlier an electricity supplier was standing locked for 85 years.
The building’s owner was contacted and different social objectives were drafted. This was the start of a 6-year common process aiming to turn the electricity supplier into a common house for the benefit of the whole neighborhood, which consists of 180 families. A building program was established alongside a webpage and an open process of mapping all relevant human sources, both amateur and professionals. This gave us a huge advantage as no funding was on the table.
The electric supplier is buried besides the building and the space is released for a variety of use. Today, the 75sqm contains a common space, kitchen, bathroom and a mezzanine for overnight guests. The new space offers possibilities for all ages and it is occupied 75 % of the week and hosts all ages and all kind of events. Funeral, weddings, baptisms, confirmations, children’s birthdays, corporate parties, adult parties, project meetings, board meetings, Christmas parties, theme nights, movie nights, sporting events, exhibitions, sales issue, flea market, education, opera evenings etc.
The idea
The electric supplier is buried besides the building and the space is released for a variety of use.
The Method
A building program was established alongside a webpage and an open process of mapping all relevant human sources, both amateur and professionals.
Demographics
Mapping the demographics of the neighbourhood was crucial for the process to understand the needs and potential activities.
The components
The project is dissected into it's components and the work is delegated to the neighbours according to their specialities.
The work begins
With a mix of amateurs and proffesionals the whole neighbourhood commenced with the building of the project.
The building
Some of the details of the project include a spiral staircase welded by the architect.
...and today the project has a life of it's own
Typology: Social, Transformation
Location: Oslo, Norway
Year: 2005-2011
Status: Self initiated, Built
Size: 200 m2
Client: Our Neighbourhood
Team: Audun Aagre, Kai Hansen, Marit Justine Haugen, Dan Zohar
Media: Aftenposten