Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture & Design Special – Norway
Residential home Villa H in Førde focused on achieving a low carbon footprint.
Expressing the modern age through architecture Due to recent societal trends and a public lack of knowledge when it comes to the quality of buildings that focus mainly on function and economy, Xform Arkitekter in Førde has decided to invest in and develop their very own projects, which showcase what architecture and aesthetic quality can do – for the end-user, for the owners and for wider society. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: David Zadig
The compact but multifaceted company recently finished a multi-functional building in Førde’s town centre, which was intended to be part of the town’s new development and image. Situated in a quarter known for its new concept of glaciers and mountains, where urban life meets natural surroundings, Ullsentralen is a 86 | Issue 105 | October 2017
4,500-square-metre building catering for business and residential needs. “We own 25 per cent of the stocks and developed the project, which is pretty unusual considering we also drew it,” explains CEO Svein Torsnes. “With architecture playing the main part, we’ve been
able to provide a quality we normally wouldn’t achieve if we were working for someone else.” The building is made up of offices over two floors and private homes over the remaining three. Torsnes describes it as “a modern architectural building”, which relates to the existing architectural shapes of the location, featuring playful shapes aimed to make the town’s image more dynamic, lively and warm. Xform started the works on Ullsentralen in 2013 and spent the previous year planning it. “Our feedback has been mostly great – I’d say most people are very positive to it,” Torsnes adds.