STAV
HAMAR, NORWAY

In September 2008 VLA and HRTB AS won an architectural competition for the design of a large new residential area in the villages of Vold and Lund, Hamar Municipality, Norway.

The winning proposal is based on preserving the landscape. The housing will be sited as a series of cubes integrated into the countryside. The old stone walls and field boundaries of the two villages have been kept, affording residents and visitors a clear impression of the history of the area.

To ensure unity between dwellings and countryside the estate will feature gentle transitions from private garden to public areas, and large windows will provide residents with beautiful views of the green areas and patios.

The proposal for the new estate had to be varied in order to attract many different types of resident, so flexibility was a vital element. The homes have been conceived with flexibility in mind so that they can be adapted to different kinds of household. At every level rational choices have been incorporated for residents as regards practical utilities and sustainable measures.