Kvartal 20 - Kristiansand
A New Urban Quarter in the Heart of Kristiansand
The project restructures an existing city block in central Kristiansand through a combination of preserved façades and new building volumes. The overall aim has been to create a clearer and more coherent architectural framework while respecting the surrounding urban structure.
The new façades use a combination of brick, mineral render and glass. These materials were selected for their durability and their ability to relate to the existing building stock in the area. The façades are composed with a consistent rhythm of openings and solid wall sections, giving each building a readable structure without dominating the street.
Along the main streets, the ground floors are designed with larger glass surfaces to provide transparency and accommodate commercial functions. Upper floors have more controlled window sizes and deeper reveals, creating a calmer expression and providing improved daylight conditions inside. The building heights step slightly between the different street fronts to adapt to the scale of the neighbouring properties.
In the interior of the block, the architecture is more open. The façades facing the courtyard include a greater proportion of glass and lighter detailing, reflecting the more private and sheltered character of this space. The courtyard itself is shaped by the surrounding volumes and is intended to function as a shared outdoor area, offering daylight and ventilation to the adjacent rooms.
The office floors are organized with simple and flexible layouts. The structural grid and façade openings are coordinated to allow different workspace arrangements over time. The depth of the buildings is kept moderate to ensure effective daylight access throughout the floors.
Overall, the architectural approach focuses on clarity, robustness and adaptation to the urban context. The intention is not to create a landmark building, but to provide a well-functioning and balanced addition to the existing city fabric.