Oslo Study Trip

ExA were invited by Vestre to participate in a study trip to Oslo. Associate Director Sophie Parker-Loftus joined this very thoughtfully crafted study tour.

A group of place makers, council representatives and landscape architects studied the public realm of Oslo and discussed place making strategies over the 3-day study tour. The group enjoyed a visit to the recently opened Delta project by Void architects. This project reconnects a quarter which was shut away for hundreds of years with the city and passageways, courtyards, restaurants, bars and offices inviting people to be part of the space. 1km of light are used within this historic graveyard to illuminate this into a modern architectural hub allowing visitors to feel safe in this bustling city. A visit to the Oslo neighbourhood was arranged which explores how we form places we share in the city and how we can make them better. The highlight of the tour was visiting the Plus, the most sustainable factory in the world. This coincided with a 'Green Day' with delegates from across Norway enjoying talks on sustainability, a lecture by BIG’s architect Viktoria Millentrup on concept, vision and design, a tour of the factory, forest bathing and several goes on the longest slide in Norway which can be accessed from the roof top of the factory. It was incredibly to see how sustainability, community, manufacturing, nature, and architecture can be beautifully interwoven to create something truly special.

Thank you Vestre for a truly exceptional study tour and the experience of Allemansretten, a Norwegian practice that everyone has the right to roam freely and is beautifully conceived within the city of Oslo in every aspect of design and placemaking.

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