Common square and apartment block | Tredje Natur

Straume’s city planning has a unique possibility to start off on the right foot. As a new urban society the foundation is still flexible, as opposed to older historic cities where resources are used to correct outdated solutions. Straume can start with the newest knowledge about urban planning. Straume does not need to make the same mistakes as other cities.

In the short history of Straume and Sotras, there have been many great visions from day one. When the Sotra bridge was finished in 1971, it was the largest bridge of its time. When the bridge was finished, development and migration took off, and they were forced to build the largest underground parking garage in Norway. It is an impressive evolution and the plans for Straume and Sotra coastal village are examples of a contemporary vision for how to create the framework for quality daily life and a city based on a sustainable economy. Cars underground and people aboveground, nature and clean air!

Courtesy of TREDJE NATUR

The large changes are started and strengthened in local areas. Our vision for Straumes new architecture can be categorized as holistic local thinking, where the ultimate resource for transformation is nature, individual residents and visitors- not the architect, contractor, or business owners.

As much as synergy, knowledge-sharing and social capital can be planned or drawn, we have delegated, supported and transformed the new structure with the common goal of creating urban life that is rooted in nature and the users of the city. Therefore, the architecture of Straumes is always close by inclusive urban spaces and natural elements.

Courtesy of TREDJE NATUR

The new urbanization process is focused on the central square. The size of the square and the central placement in the masterplan are strong and sympathetic qualities in the development of Straume. Therefore, the square and the adjacent architecture is the natural heart of the Sotra Coastal City and strengthen urban life, shopping, nature, and cultural experiences.

Courtesy of TREDJE NATUR

Project Info:
Architects: TREDJE NATUR
Responsible partners: Flemming Rafn Thomsen and Ole Schrøder
Design Team: Joan Melgaard Rasmussen, Sofie Mandrup Andreassen, Jakub Włodarczyk, Agnete Schimmell Raakjær
Location: Straume, Norge.
Build-Owner: Sartor Holding
Partner firms: jaja architects og C.F. Møller Norge
Project period: 2012-13
Type: Urban space and masterplan
Assignment type: Prequalified. Completed

Tags: Architecture Firms Norge Straume Tredje Natur

Isabelle Laurent

Isabelle Laurent is a Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, recognized for her editorial insight and passion for contemporary architecture. She holds a Master’s in Architectural Theory from École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Before joining Arch2O in 2016, she worked in a Paris-based architectural office and taught as a faculty adjunct at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. Isabelle focuses on curating projects around sustainability, adaptive reuse, and urban resilience. With a background in design and communication, she brings clarity to complex ideas and plays a key role in shaping Arch2O’s editorial