Mad Arkitekter

Nygaard Square Renovation

Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal

NYGAARD SQUARE RENOVATION

Mad Arkitekter

ARCHITECTS
Mad Arkitekter

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Karoline Kolstad Heen, Simon Øien

MANUFACTURERS
Graphisoft, Wienerberger, Solibri

PHOTOGRAPHS
Kyrre Sundal

CONTRACTOR
Af Bygg Øst

ENGINEERING
Cowi

CLIENTS
Cityplan

INTERIOR ARCHITECTS
Studio Gran, Romlaboratoriet

LANDSCAPE
Berg Og Dyring, Cowi

DESIGN TEAM
Trond Elverum, Martin Wesley Holand

YEAR
2019

AREA
4500 m²

LOCATION
Fredrikstad, Norway

CATEGORY
Urban Design

“Nygaard Square” was once the backyard of a city block in Fredrikstad, Norway, surrounded by quaint townhouses. Between the houses were spaces teaming with life; children playing, livestock, and meeting places for friendly neighbours.

Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal
Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal

During the 1970s many of these houses were demolished to make way for four-storey office buildings and an underground car park with Nygaardsplassen established on top.

The office buildings featured an intricate, post-modern architectural style including arcades towards the new square. In urban terms, Nygaardsplassen was not a success and later adopted the nickname “The Dead Square”.

Shopping Centre Zoning A new planning regulation for the square was agreed in 2012, outlining plans for a 4-6 storey shopping centre.

Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal
Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal
Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal

Cityplan acquired Nygaardsplassen in 2013 and realized that these plans would be disastrous for the development of the city centre. They concluded that only careful programming and ‘friendly architecture’ would bring life back into the streets - and were willing to help boost the adjacent shops rather than outcompete them.

Mad were charged with the task of redesigning Nygaardsplassen. The orders were clear: A modern food market at street level and, above it, dwellings to help bring back the round-the-clock life that Cityplan deemed lost.

Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal
Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal

The Piazza Cityplan and Mad decided upon the most classical of ideas: Two new buildings to fill the void towards the street and a narrow passage between them that would lead to a more defined and intimate ‘piazza’.

There are five eateries and bars, including a fishmonger, on street level – and more to come in adjacent buildings. The new passage and square serve as outdoor drinks and dining area for all. What was a forgotten space has become a bustling hub in this part of Fredrikstad.

Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal
Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal

FRIENDLY ARCHITECTURE

The placement and appearance of the new buildings have enhanced the existing buildings of Nygaardsplassen. Suddenly, the post-modern buildings seem ‘at home’ as their classical details perfectly complement the setting of the ‘piazza’.

The larger of the two new buildings is divided into five smaller segments set apart by height, windows, and brickwork.

This reflects the scale of historic buildings and makes the passage less of transit and more of a charming space to enjoy in itself - through ‘friendly architecture’. Above street level are thirty-nine apartments.

Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal


Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal
Nygaard Square Renovation
© Kyrre Sundal


Nygaard Square Renovation
Site plan
Nygaard Square Renovation
Floorplan
Nygaard Square Renovation
Floorplan
Nygaard Square Renovation
Floorplan


Nygaard Square Renovation
North elevation
Nygaard Square Renovation
East elevation
Nygaard Square Renovation
South elevation
Nygaard Square Renovation
West elevation


Nygaard Square Renovation
Section AA
Nygaard Square Renovation
Section BB


Nygaard Square Renovation
Detail elevation

Mad Arkitekter
T +47 477 52577
Mad Arkitekter
Pilestredet 27, 0164 Oslo, Norway