Jury remarks: The Living City presents an overall idea for both a masterplan and a process oriented strategy that works as a toolbox for the transformation of Nesa. The authors show a good understanding for the situation of the industry, the long-term perspective, and the needs of the clients.

The project proposes a strategy consisting of 30 actions towards a productive neighbourhood, divided into 3 phases. In the first phase, parts of the site are made public accessible, and temporary interventions and functions for prototyping products are introduced to attract the public into the area. The relocation of businesses starts together with creating conditions for start-ups and workshops. In the second phase the accessibility is improved and new transport and social infrastructures are implemented. In addition, housing in transformed industrial buildings are proposed. Together this gives a new mix of social activities with production at the site. Finally, in the third phase the new settlement is completed with more types of housing and industry with its own identity, and there is a mix of working, living, and socializing.

The project presents an overall concept for how the site can be connected to Lillestrøm with new infrastructure, strategies for programming and landscape features. The structure of the plan is based on a combination of two grids, which are rooted in the directions of existing buildings and the existing infrastructure. By keeping and transforming a substantial amount of selected buildings the plan accentuates the context and the history of the place. The transformation process is based on a flexible and adaptable scheme that is open for a long-term development of Nesa south that can go in many different directions, and at the same time provide the client with concrete tools. The jury believes that the project is the best proposal for a constructive contribution, both in a short- and long-term perspective of transformation.

Team members:

Authors Joakim Skajaa (NO), architect
Cathrine Finnema (NO), architect
Lisa Angelica Barohana (NO), architect
Oda Solberg (NO), architect
Kristoffer Røgeberg (NO), student in architecture

Contact information:

post@eriksenskajaa.no

www.eriksenskajaa.no

Runner Up: Techno Monks

Jury remarks: The project, Techno Monks, has both a formalistic structural and programmatic approach. The structural scheme is based on references to the typologies of the Santa Catalina Monastery in Peru (fine mesh typology) and the Vitra Design Campus in Germany (big box-Campus-typology) and a belief in a dualistic win-win situation by combining a specific small-scale structure with a big one, both with different roles and programmes. “It is about empowering citizens so even small one-person companies can have access to high-tech equipment and facilities.”

In addition to the two new structures the authors keep some of the existing buildings. Together, this becomes a hybrid and complex scheme combining different scales and structures in different zones. Although the project is consistent and beautifully presented, the plan itself is not obviously direct operational. It is unclear if the scheme is meant as a framework of zoning with different guidelines or as a specific designed proposal. The project introduces a new university (big box function) as an initial step. This seems unrealistic and makes the plan vulnerable and less flexible. Small-scale arts and craft as the addition-al programme to the university and housing appear casually. The jury questions how the new proposed programmes are related to the existing context.

Team members:

Charlotte Hansson (SE), architect
Christiana Pitsillidou (NO), architect
Luis Callejas (CO), architect

Contact information:

www.lclaoffice.com

lc@lclaoffice.com

christiana.pitsillidou@gmail.com

Special mention: Fictions

Jury remarks: The project superimposes an elevated second layer on top of the existing industrial landscape, a structure consisting of cross-shaped block structures with housing and new working places. The existing industrial structure on the ground is almost kept like it is and instead of removing it, the authors add the block layer with new functions such as apartments and new working spaces. This layer has its own structural matrix that reminds of Le Corbusier´s Ville Radieuse. A third layer of ramps and bridges are introduced to connect the elevated cross-blocks with the structure on the ground.

Although the authors describe a programmatic transformation of the industrial ground structure, the jury wants to accentuate that the scheme also can be read as a concept that shows how production and residential housing can co-exist. This, however, requires an understanding of how the different parts of the industrial processing are interconnected and which restrictions the different parts have. From this point of view the layering represents a way of thinking, or a design strategy, which contributes to the discussion on how industrial processing can be supplemented with new functions. The jury finds the reference to Ville Radieuse, together with the elevated superblocks, challenging the discussion of urbanity, quality of living and urban spaces. The consequent concept of layering result apparently in a formalistic and little flexible scheme (one size fit) without any advises for phasing.

Team members:

Albert Palazon (ES), architect