Harbor City Design
Since 1850, Oslo has had factories located on both sides of the river due to industrial water use. The Vulkan area, including mills and canning factories, generated industrial wastewater and shipping which made this area inaccessible. Tjuvholmen, which means "thief" in Norwegian, was previously known for its thieves and troublemakers and is located next to the Oslo Port Authority.
Tjuvholmen is situated in the southwest of Oslo's city center, originally used as a shipyard in the mid-19th century. The government acquired the land in 1914 and constructed foundations and artificial land. It consists of two islands, Skjæret and Homen, and a peninsula called Odden, connected to Aker Brygge Quay. These three areas are connected by bridges and surrounded by the Oslofjord.
By 1982, the area had been transformed into an industrial space with offices and warehouses. In 2002, the Oslo City Government extended the old harbor area and developed an artificial island. Since 2005, the area has been sold to private developers, and in 2012, it comprised approximately 1,200 apartments as part of the fjord project.
As one of Oslo's newest communities, it was completed in 2014, symbolizing the transformation of a former shipping port into urban development. This project revitalized the industrial waterfront area, creating a new center for the city.
Design Inspiration
Our urban planning team visited Tjuvholmen Waterfront for observation, located just a 3-minute walk from Oslo City Hall. We discovered that 70% of the area consists of residential zones, while the rest is a mixture of commercial, office, and hotel spaces, along with facilities such as a multimedia center and the modern art museum, Astrup Fearnley Museet, designed by Renzo Piano. This development showcases a mixed-use development trend.
According to Visitnorway.com, the area features more than 20 different architects' designs, showcasing contemporary architectural trends with medium-sized buildings, clean lines, and abundant use of glass. The apartment buildings are equipped with modern amenities such as underground parking and elevators, with many offering cleaning and concierge services to attract busy professionals. Additionally, these buildings are arranged to maximize the waterfront view, connected by a series of well-maintained pedestrian paths, featuring grass areas and planted trees. Most houses have balconies, some have rooftop terraces, and there are also houses with mooring facilities for watercraft connections. Social benefits are considered, with one-third of the residences allocated for rental housing to ensure diversity among residents.
Another noteworthy aspect of the area is its spatial configuration, maximizing development spaces while providing elements such as setback streets and themed squares. The landmarks in the area include Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art and Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park, attracting tourists every year. There are even plans to design Tjuvtitten, a 90-meter observation tower, to overlook the entire Oslo Bay, further increasing the area's visibility.
After the visit, we felt that Tjuvholmen resembles a small city where people can connect with nature, swim, enjoy urban life, and appreciate art.
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