Hammersborg

Hammersborg will, by virtue of its central location, rich history, and symbolic significance, become one of the most important development areas in Oslo city center in the years to come. Following the closure of the area in 2011, one of the city’s gems has gradually become inaccessible to the public. The anticipation and excitement are therefore significant when the construction of a new government quarter marks the beginning of the reopening of the neighborhood, making it an attractive extension of downtown Oslo.

An accessible, vibrant, and car-free Hammersborg will enrich downtown Oslo and attract many visitors.

The Government Park is the heart of the new plans and will be a long-awaited green space and connection in the area. The park will cover the car traffic in Akersgata and give old Deichmanske Library and Trinity Church in the north a new significance in the cityscape.

A challenge for urban life is that the buildings in the government quarter will mainly house offices and functions that are not open to the public. Therefore, the successful revitalization of the area will depend on surrounding development projects attaching themselves and adding offerings and activities that attract people and activity around the clock. If successful collaboration is achieved, Hammersborg could become a unique and renewed district that establishes a green east-west axis through the city center.

This is why a number of property owners, with ongoing projects in the area, have seen the need to come together in the Hammersborg Area Forum, under the auspices of OMA. Hille Melbye Architects have assisted the area forum in developing a city floor plan, with analyses and future visions for the area.

Hille Melbye has also assisted the area forum in preparing a collective input for the design of the Government Park.