Tromsø Island, Norway
70°N arkitektur
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
In Norway,
70°N arkitektur has designed the
Brinken Terrace situated on top of the Tromsø island facing west with its beautiful view. The project is composed of two
apartment buildings with 48 large apartments, and the different approach in the flats’ design in the blocks gives variation in the window placements and facade expression.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
Description by 70°N arkitektur
Brinken Terrace has a prominent location on the top of the Tromsø Island with views towards all directions. The area is sun exposed at all hours and have direct access to the green area that stretches along the Tromsø island. In the completed outdoor areas many of the existing trees and other vegetation are being preserved, in addition, there has been planted more vegetation as
birch trees, rose and berry bushes etc.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
The area between and around the buildings is composed by varied playing and outdoor recreation areas for the residents. It has for instance a small field for playing ball, various playgrounds and a sunbath/barbecue area. There is also a football field with
artificial turf in the neighborhood which also is part of the project.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
The project was completed in 2009. The total area of the project is approx. 8100 m2 which includes the underground parking. The two blocks are in principle similar, with increasing height from two floors to the west towards the existing residential housing in Brinkveien street, and up to five floors to the east and north, towards the students apartment blocks at
Prestvannet.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
In the planning phase, the future residents cooperated with the architect on the design of the apartments, this led to customized and unique apartments. Overall, the project has 48 flats of varying size from 36 to 196 m2. The different approach in the flats’ design in the blocks gives variation in the window placements and facade expression. Both blocks have open and bright entrances halls, two staircases, two elevators, and underground parking with storage rooms. The blocks are linked together by the common parking and outdoor areas.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
All apartments have secluded private terraces or balconies. From the second storey and up the balconies are drawn into the building to provide as good microclimate as possible, which is important in the arctic climate. The apartments in the front have large west-facing roof terraces. The height of the ceiling in all apartments is 2.7 m, and the large windows frames the spectacular views of the mountains of Kvaløya island to the west, Malangen mountains to the south and Tromsdalstind mountain to the east. Most apartments have views in two directions, while the largest apartments have a 360° panoramic view. The top apartment in the southern block fills the entire floor, and has also, as the other apartments, a wonderful view from the bedroom and bathroom.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
The construction system is steel columns in the facade and concrete decks, with internal load-bearing concrete walls. The facades are 200mm wide boards of impregnated pine and in the balcony niches gray laminate plates are used.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Ivan Brodey |
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| site plan--drawing Courtesy of 70°N arkitektur |
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| level 1 floor plan--drawing Courtesy of 70°N arkitektur |
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| level 5 floor plan--drawing Courtesy of 70°N arkitektur |
The people
Architects: 70°N arkitektur
Location: Tromsø Island, Norway
GFA: 8,000 m2
Builder: Econord AS
Photographer: Ivan Brodey
About 70°N arkitektur
70°N arkitektur works with all kinds of design issues from small object design, exhibition and set design, housing projects to area planning and urban design, as well as lecturing and teaching.
70°N arkitektur developes projects, thinking and methods within the whole spectre of architectural practice; buildings, landscape, urbanism, processes/development, theory/ideas, communication/participation and exhibitions. Experimentation and dialogue are fundamental in 70°N arkitektur’s practice. Ever since the office was established architectural competitions have been an important arena for continuous reformulation and development of the office’s practice as a reflective, critical and committed approach to architecture and planning, and a vital position in the public debate concerning architecture, urban development and regional planning.
70°N arkitektur has been noticed in several national and international competitions, lately with 1st prizes in regional planning competition Øresundsvisioner 2040 and Nordhavnen International Ideas Competition, Copenhagen. The office has received several awards, as Architectural Review’s Award for Emerging Architecture – Highly Commended in 2008.
70°N arkitektur partners are: Gisle Løkken, Joar Lillerust, Magdalena Haggärde and Petra Schnutenhaus. Office collaborators are: Berit Steenstrup, Irene Wilner Bergholt and Michele R. Widerøe.
