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'straume urban center competition' by haptic and NORDIC, straume, norway
all images courtesy of haptic
london and oslo-based office haptic in collaboration with NORDIC office of architecture and gross.max landscape architects have just won the competition to
redesign a three-block strip in straume's urban center. titled 'from shopping center to city', the commissioned by sartor holding called for 'innovative
and flexible solutions' to reinvent the public square and surrounding area to accommodate a range of events and inject a renewed identity. the assembly
of structures are formed to benefit from natural light and allow light to reach the surrounding residential areas, all the while blocking the all-too-common
winds that surge through the city. the two blocks to the south of the central square contain a hotel and mixed-use residential and commercial space, with
the most notable feature being the new 13-storey tower housing a library and office space and creating a renewed landmark for the city. each component
is also designed to adapt to any use, so that the actual program can be shifted based on client or community needs. phase 1 of the project is scheduled for
completion in november of 2014.

open-air public square
as explained by haptic,
'the scheme is organised around the public square, conceived as a seamless surface that negotiates a substantial level change and incorporates planting,
seating and lighting but primarily allows for flexibility in its use. the landscape and its geometry inform the architecture and bleeds into building common areas,
creating semi-public spaces. the large square links to smaller routes and main shopping avenues. the landscape design places emphasis on intuitive
movement across the square and around the active frontages.'

pedestrian-friendly walkways through integrated green and commercial zones

new 13-storey library and office tower

simple material palette following the nordic language

rooftop terrace

location

site plan

green features throughout the project