Lervig Pier

Lervig Brygge’s outermost site for four towers in the sea is a unique context for housing – not only in Stavanger, but also in the Norwegian context.

Stavanger is promoting itself as a bold, dynamic and experimental area – with great visions in combination with solid implementation. In the home of the oil rigs’ on the Norwegian west coast – the challenge to mark a new lofty dimension in the fjord landscape is particularly interesting.
The tower typology often is associated with the urban or suburban, can here be redefined with a new local presence and strong architectural identity with high qualities for each dwelling.

The ambitions in Lervig Brygge’s plan demonstrate the growing desire for transparency between an intertwined verticality – two towers have become four. Our project continues the awareness of the vertical against the horizon – and models the dynamics and expressive in-between spaces. Sight lines should not just pass by streamlined towers – by creating friction and pauses a place is created.

This interactive relationship operates in several scales; at close range it creates an intimacy and belonging to the outdoor areas and communal spaces. At a distance, the effect dissolves the figurative, the gradual transition between the visible and the invisible, between the building and un-built – becomes fluid, volatile as water and wind that characterize the context.

Our concept wish to combine the better of two worlds: the collective, identifiable, functional and sculptural tower, with the individual: expressive homes with unique qualities and a large repertoire of terraces, balconies, conservatories and patios. The degree of shielding and exposure becomes a real choice. Different priorities in relation to weather, wind, sun and views allow for great freedom of choice. Repetition and variation combined – a repetitive design principle for efficient construction – variation for adaptation to a market seeking the bespoke and unique.

The collective expresses itself in the vertical – the individual choice in horizontal displacements.

All apartments share one quality; they all have south or west-facing generous outdoor spaces as an extension of living rooms. The private outdoor areas are never under 10m2, and 90% of the dwellings are corner apartments.

Scissor stairs are used in the cores which reduces space requirements by about 2,5m2. Wide main stairs are also omitted in favour of spacious stretcher-sized lifts. This saves additional 1,5m2 and enhances comfort. All towers have two lifts.

The artificial landscape
The roof of the parking basement is the public space and access zone. The design of this “architectural” landscape will optimize the qualities of both levels. By inclination of various surfaces, weather protected areas are created, intimate and warm zones for recreation and access. At the same time it opens for daylight into the parking garage which for many will be the daily the access to their home.

The park will include ball fields, playgrounds, sand pits, trees, flower beds and lawns in sunny gradients as well as bicycle parking on wooden decking. The inclined surfaces connect levels between the promenade, outdoor areas and buildings and help to emphasize four pockets in the plan which are characterized by their different orientations towards the south, east, north and west – respectively the city and access, marina and activity, the bay and the views and sunny, pleasant outdoor areas to the west.