The largest newspaper in Northern Norway – Nordlys – published a feature article on how NIELSTORP+ has contributed to revitalize downtown Tromsø The headline reads:
They have changed the center of Tromsø. Now the architects are dreaming of a "hole" through Nerstranda
Excerpt from the report:
Architect Tord Kvien wants the inhabitants of Tromsø and visitors to have better access to the sea from Storgata.
Civil architect Tord Kvien comes from Nordkjosbotn in Balsfjord and is currently one of three partners in NielsTorp+arkitekter in Oslo. But he loves working on big projects in Tromsø.
Today he is the architect office's project manager for the development of the Rødbank quarter. Previously, he was project manager for the Rådhuskvartalet and Tromsø library. He has also worked on The Edge project.
The architect office also has the Pellerin building, their new project Storgata 25 and has previously changed the facade at Strandgata 41.
- Is Tromsø ugly or pretty?
- Haha. Both. Tromsø is ugly and pretty, laughs Tord Kvien in Niels Torp + arkitekter.
This ugly and pretty, which makes the city charming - but which also includes some blemishes that Kvien rightly believes something can be done about. One of them is that we have closed several of the original passages down to the sea. Closed them with a wall of construction - both in the center and outside.
- We are privatizing the best we have
The blocks of flats in the Strandkanten district, for example, do not offer the architect much. It is not the blocks themselves that he attacks, but that together they create a wall against the sea.
- In this way, we privatize the finest thing we have, the sea, says Kvien.
He perceives Storgata as the prettiest street in the city - but it too should benefit from regaining some of its old sea look. Unfortunately, several of the connecting streets from Storgata have been rebuilt. Tord Kvien and the architectural office believe that an attempt should be made to open these up again, and also establish new penetrations down to the sea.
"Hole" through Nerstranda
In this respect, Kvien thinks it is appropriate that Nerstranda Center has an opening towards the sea.
- Is it really possible to just make a "hole" right through Nerstranda?
- Of course, in 30 years it will have to be built and rehabilitated anyway, he says.
Another "hole" towards the sea that Torp wants is an opening through the building in Skippergata 7 that stands like a wall covering the water. Historically, there has been an opening here towards the fjord.
- Storgata - a beautiful backbone
The architect office is happy with Storgata in Tromsø. Architect guru Niels Torp is behind many large urban development projects such as Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen. He believes Storgata in Tromsø is just as beautiful and an equally important "backbone" for the city as Storgata in Lillehammer.
He also has thoughts that today's single-family house environment in Storgata appears to be largely intact, and that the few larger buildings adjacent to the street have not deteriorated in character. The street is bright and open, and connects important places and institutions in the city centre. Storgata can, in his opinion - with a simple upgrade be lifted up to become an attractive promenade street.
- Storgata must be seen in connection with the surrounding streets, especially the sea and the quays. Torp also believes that it is very attractive to have an upgraded Storgata parade street that has a direct view and footpaths down to the sea.
The Rødbank quarter opens
Kvien says we live in a turning point. It's not just about putting up buildings, but about tailoring solutions, using staircases in the buildings, so that people have access to light, air and sea even if you build high, new and big.
- It's about providing experiences, moods, character - what makes you love a city, he says.
In the Rødbank quarter, there will be new through lanes between Storgata - secluded Adolf Thomsens gate and Fredrik Langesgate - Kirkeparken.
- The Rødbankvartalet will be a good example of how to open up new passages and passages in the city centre. This move transforms hidden, dark streets and spaces into open and inviting new places, and will be a good upgrade to give life to the old historic Tromsø city centre, the architect's office believes.
Say no to glass across the street
Kvien says that in the zeal to create something new, one should be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. With Tromsø as a tourist destination, it is important that Storgata's character is strengthened and brought forward with the best of the qualities it already has. It is important to think carefully about introducing new architecture that only has a "placeless international style", because it is architecture that you experience everywhere else anyway. Having respect and highlighting what is good about the place, the history and the landscape is important.
- Tromsø is unique in terms of the dynamics between the city center and the vast Arctic Ocean in intimacy with each other. Tromsø should take advantage of this, says Kvien, while the rain pours down on him.
- You, with regard to the June weather: Why is it that in other cities with much better weather, there are more outdoor areas in the sun than in rainy and cold Tromsø? Is it not possible to achieve here? Should we build glass ceilings over the streets?
- It rarely works with glass ceilings over the streets. But it is still possible to build outdoor areas with sheds. In Italian cities, urban spaces have been created that provide shelter from the sun. You can also create urban spaces that shelter rain and snow. And you can use, for example, awnings and sliding glass walls, he says.
It's just that no one has started it. Yet.
