3RW
21. January 2009
MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK for The Fantoft student area situated 15 minutes south of City of Bergen.
Development of ‘Fantoft Student City’
The Fantoft area is a part of the municipality of Bergen. It is situated 15 minutes
south of the city core, and has typical Norwegian suburb traits. The housing typologies
are mainly single-unit dwellings with private gardens, mixed with large residential
blocks of flats. Additionally some small business and office activity, one grocery
store, and large green areas, fill the space in-between.
3RW Architects work with the Student Accommodation area at Fantoft started in
the autumn of 2006. As a new city tram stop was to be established at Fantoft,
the need for a regulation plan was urgent. The plan was made by 3RW, working with
the student organization, SiB, and a local company, Helmers AS. New student housing,
offices, shops, kindergarten, and upgraded outdoor areas were to be worked out.
To day the ‘Student City’ at Fantoft, consists of five large residential blocks,
built in typical sixties and seventies style. With 1344 units in all, including
Bergens highest building, the area makes quite an impact at a local scale. The
housing units are mainly ‘singles’, including only two family units.
The development plan displays a condensation proposal where new buildings are
to be established at areas unsuitable for outdoor and recreational activity. It
also stresses the importance of adding an urban quality by giving an emphasized
central area in connection to a new ‘shopping street’ and the City Tram stop.
A green area and adjacent park south in the plan range, maintain the connection
to the surrounding neighborhood.
SiBs expansion with four new buildings are to hold a mix of family, community
and single units, holding 660 new units. The expansion of Helmers AS is to hold
more office and business activity, such as shops, mixed with regular housing.
In the middle of 2008 3RW Architects finished their work with the ‘Student City’
regulation plan. Later in 2008 they started their work with two of SiBs buildings
at Fantoft, one up close to the City Tram Stop, and one on top of the City Tram
tunnel. The two slim, curved buildings contain 77 family apartments at single
rows, enabling light and view at both sides. A common continuous balcony at each
floor, constitute a social arena, as well as an out door space for the residents
to relax in the evening sun. The architecture reflects a clear contrast to the
existing built mass, with bodies relating to the situation in a dynamic and active
manner.
Company profile
3RW Arkitekter
PB 1131
5809 Bergen
T. +47 55 55 75 10 F. +47 55 55 75 11
e-mail:
3rw@3rw.no
Visit our web site at:
www.3rw.no/
Client Details
Studentsamskipnaden i Bergen:
www.sib.no
Project duration
The construction of the two buildings was started late in 2008, and are to be
commissioned in August 2010.
Country
Norway