KLP Bygget

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The KLP-building is a multifunctional building containing not only KLP Eiendom's headquarter (one of Norway´s largest life insurance companies) but also 53 residential apartments, a gallery and restaurants.

The main objective of the design was to make the KLP- building play its own unique role in the harmonic complexity of the Operakvarteret masterplan. The area is divided into narrow bars where each of the sites is designed to be building structures with its own shape and architectural identity. The KLP-building covers 3 such bars, consisting of two solid volumes separated by a glazed void. The two volumes is given contradicting shapes, different materiality and colour. This makes the buildings dual character. In the core of the building the void opens up to a glass-covered six stories tall atrium which provides excellent daylight conditions to the inner office areas. The atrium creates a central opening encouraging informal meetings and communication between employees, in addition to making a reference of orientation for the all the office floors.

The configuration of two towers placed diagonally northwest /southeast provides a free sight to the fjord for the urban areas behind the building. The residential apartments are situated in the upper 10 floors at the southwest tower. The tower facing northwest with its cantilevered construction comprise the office areas.

WEST TOWER
The west volume appears as a white stone carved into a block. This solid and sculptural language contradicts the neighbouring glass box building. In addition to the solid stone wrapping of the volume, the structure has a cantilevered tower overhanging a roof garden, which gives the building a strong spatial character.

The 13.5 m long cantilevered structure, is carried by a one story tall truss system, suspended from the opposite (north) side of the tower. Because of the strict detailing around the window openings, the openings looks like they have been carved out of a monolithic stone. The stone elements around the openings create reliefs and depth in the facade, as well as a play of shadows throughout the day.

EAST TOWER
The east tower has a simple architectural language. The volume is wrapped in a smooth, dark and elegant skin. The building envelope is a modular system of glass and aluminium panels. Aligned and given the same colour, the system appears as one thin layer covering the structure.

The tower had to appear as one volume, although it serves as a multifunctional building. It was important to create a modular facade system that is suitable for residential apartments of different sizes and diverse office spaces. The designed system provides good and comfortable daylight conditions and enhances the great spaces inside. It makes the building volume stand out as a cohesive bar from an exterior perspective, but not by the expense of the architectural thoughts put into the interior of the building.

As the stories differs according to function the balconies which shoots out of the facade, was used as an architectural element overlapping the transition. The balconies are solid planes with glass balustrades. They create strong vertical elements which contradicts the fragile expression of the polished building skin.

GREEN ROOF / ROOF GARDENS
All of the buildings five roof planes are green. Three of these are roof terraces, and offers access to a panoramic view of the fjord and the surrounding city for the residents and the employees. The roof gardens consist of trees, ornamental grass and sedum, combined with areas of wooden floors. The resisting roof planes are all covered in Sedum. The beds of Sedum even out the temperature difference in the building, and decrease the pressure of the drainage to the sewer at large precipitations.

ENVIRONMENT
Incorporating environmental thinking in the design concept was a major aim. To obtain energy efficiency an exterior wall with limited use of glass was chosen. Insulated building skin, materials with high thermal mass, highly insulating glass and high quality detailing contribute reducing heat loss. In addition, technical heating installations, ventilation and artificial light are decentralized, which enables individual regulations. District heating from sea based water pumps in the fjord of Oslo will soon become the main heating source for the KLP-building and the rest of Barcode.

By providing a great amount of parking spaces for bicycles and limited parking for cars the employees and residents are encouraged to become more eco-friendly. The building is within walking distance to regional, national and international transportation system.

The KLP-building along with the rest of Barcode buildings marks the new skyline of Oslo greeting visitors from the fjord and providing a new attractive and entertaining borough designed for the future.

2 years ago

Christian added company S+J Arkitekter AS
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Christian added company KLP Eiendom
2 years ago