Mosvangen Student Apartments Type: Student housing Location: Stavanger, Norway No. of apartments: 19 Size of apartments: 22-60 sqm Building year: 1930 Reconstruction year: 2003 Architects: Helen & Hard Mosvangen, foto montage of exterior before and after the refurbishment8
The example we chose to study up close in the category shortterm apartments is Mosvangen Student Housing in Stavanger, Norway. The house was built in 1930 and had been extended and refurbished many times over the years. There were discussion regarding whether to demolish it and build a new house, but the fact that a refurbishment would be cheaper and that this was also the recommendation of the architects led to the decision of refurbishment.2 The building was an aging youth hostel when the architects Helen & Hard got the assignment to transform into student apartments. The old building was very deep which resulted in lack of daylight in the middle of the building. The architects decided to construct an inner court yard that also could function as a common space and party area. Several incisions were made, ground was dug out and extensions were made on the roof in order to get light into the building and enhance the spatial qualities. All the new parts and add-ons are clearly shown by different material than the original building or bright colours.3
Diagrams showing incisions and dig out, new common areas and roof extensions.9
The refurbishment resulted in 19 unconventional student apartments, all unique. There is one apartment that is built over three floors, some with different roof extensions and patios, one with an emerald garden, a party apartment in the basement and even an open plan apartment where the living room extends into the common entry area of the building. The majority of the apartments are suitable for two people living together, but there are a few small apartments and a few suited for a young family. Every single apartment has its own very special qualities and they either have double ceiling height or extends over more than one floor.4
Roof extensions from above10
Roof terrace12
Floor layout11