‘Stranden’ is the first of a multi-stage redevelopment of the precinct known as ‘Aker Brygge’ in Oslo, Norway. It is part of a greater effort to reinvigorate Oslo’s post-industrial waterfront by creating a 12km long publically accessible waterfront promenade, connecting the city’s east and west. The precinct’s developer, Norwegian Property (NPRO), aims to reinvigorate Aker Brygge by refurbishing the urban outdoor spaces, transforming the area’s retail concept, and introducing new office space.

LINK Landskap’s projects are well known for their simplicity and timelessness. The firm believes in the craft of landscape architecture and aims to make “spaces for life”.

The waterfront promenade, ‘Stranden’, was officially opened, together with a new marina, in May, 2014. The remaining phases will be completed in 2015/16. These include ‘Bryggetorget’, the precinct’s main square, and various streetscapes which connect the area to both the waterfront and the city fabric beyond.

LINK Landskap is the project Landscape Architect for all urban outdoor areas at Aker Brygge, and was previously the project Landscape Architect for the post-industrial waterfront site’s original transformation in the late 1980s.

Aker Brygge is the outcome of a design competition held in 1985, and won by Telje-Torp-Aasen Architects. LINK Landskap, then known as 13.3 Landskapsarkitekter, designed the urban outdoor areas. Now, nearly 30 years on, LINK Landskap has been given the unique opportunity to revisit Aker Brygge, to adapt and renew this complex and popular urban precinct.

Aker Brygge is one of Oslo’s most vibrant urban areas, with its eclectic mix of apartments, shopping, culture and restaurants. The area is much loved by residents and tourists alike, and is visited by around 12 million people each year. The refurbished waterfront promenade, ‘Stranden’, has reinvigorated the area, breathing new life and interest into an important centre for social interaction and activity in Oslo.

The landscape refurbishment increases visual and physical contact with Oslo’s magnificent fjord, while also encouraging social interaction and diversity along the waterfront promenade. One of the project’s main challenges has been to reconfigure and simplify Stranden’s cross-section; reorganising and consolidating the promenade in order to create a wider, more generous publically accessible waterfront. This creates more space for promenading, ‘staying’ and increases flexibility for other spontaneous and un-planned activities. The result is a more dynamic experience of the fjord landscape and more “space for life”.

LINK Landskap developed a site-specific concept for street furniture and ‘staying’ that cultivates and celebrates the role of social interaction in the public realm. The concept for street furniture was developed in cooperation with Vestre - a Norwegian company specialising in street furniture design and manufacture - and furniture designers Lars Tornøe and Atle Tveit. The concept is based on diversity of activity and flexibility of use. The project’s signature colour is inspired by ‘Signal Orange’; a remnant of Oslo’s maritime history, and often found scattered along its (post-) industrial waterfront.

Now, more than ever before, is it possible to sit, lie, eat, read, chat, or stroll quietly while taking in the magnificent fjord landscape, without having to be a patron of one of the area’s many restaurants or bars.

For more information, please visit: www.linklandskap.no