Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter

The apartment building, located on Grünerløkka in an area called Ny York (New York), today one of the most colourful and diverse areas in Oslo. The block is a rare remaining example of the intimate blend of housing and small scale industry typical of the 19th century. The new structure is designed with special appreciation of these environs, and the backyard has with the new build gained an exciting and contrasting fusion of architecture. Featuring distinct architectural form, functional solutions, thoughtful details, and a contemporary overall expression, the building adds a new dimension to the area as well as reflecting the diversity by offering a variation of apartment types to accommodate a range of contemporary living situations. The goal was to create an environment adapted to the situation as well as obtaining an efficient exploitation of the site. The result is twelve entities with seven typological variations, divided on six floors, with a range of sizes from 31,5 to 85,5 sq.m. and both one- and two-floor apartments represented. All apartments have south-facing balconies; in addition the top-floors have private roof terraces with a great view over Oslo.

Towards the street, the north facade is more closed, while the south is open and inviting with its large glazed areas facing the backyard and the great view. Being that most of the apartments are south-facing, the glazed areas bring daylight all the way through the spaces. Kitchen and bathroom is a core through all apartments.

Materiality and colours

Load bearing floors are prefabricated concrete. Terrace and outdoor furniture are cast-in-place concrete. The building is covered in glass to the south and handcrafted brick to the north. The chosen brick is a horizontal, black, handcrafted brick named Kolumba, developed by Peter Zumthor for the Kolumba museum in Cologne. It measures lxwxh 528x108x37 mm. The roof and parts of the facade towards south is coated with zinc.

The facades appear in shades of black; black brick, black zinc, while indoors one will find elements of fresh hues. The green colour reappears in stairwells, the entry zone, and on the south balconies. The colours in the apartments are kept neutral with shades between black and white.