Housing Pilestredet 77-79. Ecology and urbanity in Oslo

The housing project Pilestredet 77-79 is located between 4 characteristic neighborhoods of Oslo, acting as a transition in the urban fabric. Among the buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the residential complex aims to make the pleasures of urban life accessible to as many people as possible, combining tradition and innovation

Combining new buildings with the historic pre-existing environment

Among the various architectural projects by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, the one for the residential complex Pilestredet 77-79 wins several architecture awards: Architizer A+Awards Jury Winner | Multi Unit Housing Low Rise; Murverksprisen; AIA International Region 2020 Design Awards; Nomination to Mies van der Rohe Award. The project's goal is to combine new buildings with the historic pre-existing environment of the Fagerborg neighborhood in an innovative and attractive way

Architecture as a transition between urban identities

The program of 59 residential units, a cafeteria, and underground parking is contained within three buildings that differentiate from each other to create a gradual transition from the surrounding neighborhoods. The smaller buildings (Pilestredet 79a and 79bB) respond to the residential architectural typology, with the same floor plan for both alternating between four and two apartments per floor and gradually stepping back from the street, integrating with the villas and gardens of Pilestredet and the historic fabric of Fargerborg

59 units with different sizes for a complex and diverse community

In response to the urban identities of the Majorstuen, Norabakken, and Stensparken neighborhoods, the largest volume of the complex, Pilestredet 77, presents itself as a city block, following the corner building's geometry and defining the end of the historic district. It comprises six to eight residential units per floor, with different sizes to ensure a sufficiently complex and diverse community: the lower floors have smaller dimensions, while the upper floors have larger ones. The lower floors have several smaller units, while the upper floors contain larger apartments

Handmade bricks, rooftop gardens, and the café

The facades of the four blocks are made of handmade bricks: the use of traditional material was strongly desired to characterize the identity of the architectural project and celebrate the artisan tradition. In addition to the rooftop gardens used as communal outdoor spaces, the project also included generous and carefully designed internal communal areas for the residents' enjoyment, as well as the café on the street: a comfortable meeting place for gatherings, after-work events, community evenings that can serve the residential complex and the surrounding neighborhoods

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Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS

Josefines gate 7, 0351 Oslo, Norway