Competition, Shortlisted

Threshold to As Common: sequence of public space

Views from and to the E12 site are designed to be inviting and also strongly contextual. Key buildings are carefully retained to allow the history or inheritance of As to be revealed.

The Tandberg Estate is located in the centre of As. Comprising an attractive house and garden this project proposes that its retention is key to the vision of a new As combining the best of the old town with appropriate modern insertions and recasting of public space.

This proposal celebrates the connection with the artist Odd Tandberg through the new Museum which includes galleries, archives and space for an artist in residence. One of two new extensions to the Tandberg building (left of image) frames the entrance to the new public space of As Common. The space is also lined by the new Brewery and Beer house (right of image). The new As Culture Barn closes the view at the end of the new Common.

Connecting to the context: "inheritance' and 'invention' through scale form and material.

The predominant building materials found in As are red brick and white painted timber. The existing historic buildings on site - the Asheim and the Tandberg Estate give provenance to the proposed new buildings on site as a way of developing a strong visual and architectural identity.

Simple but contextually appropriate material choices such as the white painted timber help root the new proposals to their context, and are sustainable not only in their sourcing but the longevity of their lifespan.

Transitions and dialogues between old and new buildings are subtle and occasionally playful in terms of form and material finish, helping to root the proposal in its context and create a sense of place.