Bjølsen Campus Landscape
Bjølsen campus, a student residence in Oslo, covers a city block between Maridalsveien, Holmestrandgata, Moldegata and Bergens gate. The essence of the landscape project is to connect the buildings and streets together with inner alleys, plazas and gardens. Through high quality materials, specially-designed outdoor furniture, water features and lush vegetation, the landscape adds freshness and richness to its urban context, contrasting the many hard, vertical and horizontal planes within the site. From an ecological, aesthetic and pedagogical view the water is lead through open gutters to a central retention channel. Varied and durable plants and flowers are chosen by the same reasons.
The natural meeting place is the ‘Campus’, the heart of the student residence area, a plaza gathered between the post office, the grocery store, the coffee shop and the laundry. Two large solitary standing trees at each end of the campus establish the natural central points of the plaza. Custom benches and bike racks were designed for Bjølson Student Residence.
The main attraction is the channel, 55 meters long and 3,5 meters wide. Rainwater from the rooves, streets and plazas is transported to gutters and gathered in the outstretched retention channel.
An assortment of plantain lilies, day lilies and irises maintain harmony, beauty and elegance. The channel includes a swirl of goldfish, and is a popular rallying point for students.
The avenue of pear trees surrounds the elevated walkway between the buildings and will grow into a dramatic, green volume that will balance the high mass of construction surrounding it.
The channel holds 100 m3, withstands large increases in stormwater and is placed in a lush garden of irises.
Variety and character are created by different kinds of endemic and local trees. Climbers contribute vertical lushness, a summertime dark green or autumnal red contrast to the pale yellow brick facades. The climbers represent the very symbol of lushness with their youthful growth.
