Earthern Housing in Urban Contexts

By Gustav Cederblad Stamnes

The foundation of this diploma project is a desire to explore innovative construction techniques using ecologically sustainable materials within the urban context of Murbyen in central Oslo. Murbyen refers to the historic neighborhoods characterized by brick and masonry structures, built primarily between 1850 and 1910. The chosen site, Herslebs gate 31 in the neighborhoods of Tøyen, is an infill location within an old city block. This prompts a key question: What is today’s architectural response to creating a sustainable housing project in this historic context?

Project image
Project type
Diploma project
Programme
Architecture
Year
2024

Supervisor:

Tine Hegli
Cathrine Vigander

My academic journey at AHO, combined with two semesters of internship at OsloTre and hands-on experience as a carpenter, cultivated my interest in timber architecture and, subsequently, a deeper curiosity about natural materials. A research initiative led by Asplan Viak in collaboration with AHO, introduced the potential of clay-based materials. This initiative seeks to upcycle the vast surplus masses generated by Oslo’s large-scale infrastructure projects. These surplus materials possess properties akin to the original brickwork of Murbyen but demand entirely different building techniques.

This project combines historical sensitivity with ecological innovation, addressing the challenges of adapting traditional materials and methods to meet contemporary sustainability goals in Oslo’s urban fabric.


Contact

Gustav Cederblad Stamnes

Gustav Cederblad Stamnes / + 47 468 55 050 / LinkedIn

Published Dec. 12, 2024 5:52 PM - Last modified Mar. 20, 2025 5:21 PM