LINK Arkitektur Landskap: Stovnertårnet is as a part of the Groruddalen project, built in collaboration with the district of Stovner and the Municipality of Oslo’s Agency for Urban Environment. The Groruddalen project, aims to improve services and local environments with the goal that residents will become more economically independent and participate more actively in their community. Stovner, is one of four districts in Groruddalen, located northeast of Oslo and has a population of about 138,000 people. It is Norway’s most diverse area, with inhabitants with backgrounds from over 140 countries. District of Stovner and the Municipality of Oslo’s Agency for Urban Environment wanted a tower, so high that you could see the Oslofjord in the horizon. It should be universally designed and provide Stovner with an attraction out of the ordinary.

The result is an experience out of the ordinary. Stovnertårnet sets modern architecture in a natural landscape and is an invitation to experience urban outdoor life. Stovnertårnet, is a 260-meter long circular walkway, rising to 15 meters above the ground. The tower is located on historical grounds at Fossumberget, at Stovner, 30 minutes from Oslo’s city center. Stovnertårnet is a part of a larger transformation centered around Stovner city center area a part of the activity park: ‘Jesperudjordet for alle’, and are an integrated part of the local hiking trails in the area around Fossumberget.

When the project landed at the drawing table at Link Landskap, the idea of designing a floating corridor rather than a traditional tower building appeared. Stovnertårnet was inspired by a bird’s flight in the air; You’ll find yourself walking through the treetops, with views overlooking the trees and hills of the Grorud Valley, all the way to the Oslo Fjord. Inspired by the beautiful trees at Fossumberget, wood material is used in the construction and thematic in the birds’ nests.

Accessibility has been an important part of the project, where the goal is that the tower should be accessible to all, regardless of the level of functioning and background. The walkway is accessible for disabled visitors and secured with tall railings a height of 1.30 meters. Information is marked with both tactile and readable writing. The universal design provides both a real safety and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

The load-bearing wooden columns, reminiscent of trees and branches, are placed as carefully as possible in the terrain, integrating with the existing trees and vegetation, ensuring the least possible intrusion on the site. On the way to the top there is several platous, representing birds nests. The platous allow room for one or more people to sit together, relax and enjoy the view and are furnished with custom lying and sitting elements. As part of the experience in the tower, there has been established a project to promote learning about the area’s local history and the development of Oslo from ice age, to today.

In the evening Stovnertårnet comes alive with a captivating light display that serves to emphasize its interweaving paths. The lighting also illuminates the surrounding area, increasing the feeling of safety, and making the tower accessible all year round.

Architects: LINK Arkitektur Landskap
Other designers involved in the design of landscape (architects and landscape architects):
Engineers and lighting designers.
Project location: Tokeruddalen 105, Stovner. Oslo, Norway.
Design year: 2014-2017
Year Built: 2017
Area: 2 000 m2
Budget: NOK 24 million
Image credits: Jiri Havran
Manufacturer of urban equipment: ÅF lightning/Aanesland Fabrikker AS