Horten i havet

Master course

Sustainable Small Town Development

Supervisors:

Jørgen Tandberg & Andreas Kalstveit

Horten i havet is a whole new approach to urban development in the small town of Horten by the Oslo fjord. The project extends the urban structure out into the fjord with a series of lamellas creating a whole new neighborhood of second homes, shared amenities, and a seaside hotel. This direct access from the urban fabric to the sea becomes a new quality in Horten for the permanent residents, second homeowners, and short-term visitors of the town to enjoy.

The idea of the second home in Horten

The idea of the second home in Horten Located a one-hour drive outside Oslo, the town’s potential growth suffers from being too far south to appear attractive for commuters, as well as too far north to be included in the belt of holiday homes in Vestfold, Telemark, and Agder. However, in our post-covid society where remote work has become a common practice and is set to increase in the years to come, it becomes clear that Horten has the potential to grow as a town of second homes. This would enhance the municipality in several ways, both socially, economically, and environmentally. The influx of new residents and visitors to the area would support the localeconomy, providing new business opportunities and generating revenue for the municipality. The presence of the seaside hotel would also provide a source of income for the community, supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth. From an environmental perspective, the proje- ct would also enhance the municipality of Horten. The use of sustainable materials and design strategies in the project would ensure that it has a minimal impact on the environment. The project’s focus on shared amenities and public spaces would also encourage residents to use public transportation and other shared economy services, reducing the environmental impact of the community. The project’s location makes it a convenient option for individuals, couples, and families who may be looking to escape the city in a more flexible man- ner, as well as in the traditional manner of during weekends or holidays, while still being within easy reach of urban amenities and attractions. The project’s sustainable design and focus on shared such as gardens, courty- ards, and a public promenade provide opportunities for residents to come together and enjoy the community.

The urban strategy

As an overall strategy for Horten, a continuous seaside promenade with views of the fjord is established, extending the network of existing recreational paths at Karljohansvern. This new promenade runs through the project and features a range of public amenities, including cafes, shops, and restaurants, as well as a public beach and shared economy amenities such as electric boats and kayaks. The lamella structures to the west of the promenade have semi-private courtyards with gardens and shared facilities, providing

residents with a sense of privacy and seclusion.

on the water. By extending the structures out over the water, the project is able to make use of space that would otherwise be unusable due to the presence of the ferry terminal. This expands the project greatly, whilst giving residents of Horten unique and direct access to the sea. In addition to providing additional space, building the structures on piles protects marine life in the fjord. Piling foundations are used when building on water, and they consist of long poles or columns that are driven into the seabed to support the weight of the structure. These piles create minimal disturbance to the marine environment, allowing the structures to be built on the water without harming the marine life in the fjord. Furthermore, building out into the water enables the use of seawater to regulate the indoor climate in these buildings in a sustainable manner. All the lamella structures are oriented towards the south, allowing for the use of passive solar design strategies to heat and light the homes

In the southern part of the site, we find the seaside hotel, offering guests stunning views of the fjord and a range of amenities like restaurants, bars, a spa, and a sea bath with saunas on the water. The hotel provides a source of income for the community and brings visitors to the area, supporting the local economy and fostering a sense of community. In addition, the presence of a seaside hotel on the property provides an additional level of appeal and convenience for those looking for a second home. The hotel allows for short term stays, providing individuals and families with the opportunity to try out the community and its amenities before committing to a long term residence.

The urban strategy

residents with a sense of privacy and seclusion.

The project accepts the presence of the ferry where it is today as a premise, this being the most realistic approach. The ferry queue is however moved away from the shore to enable direct access from the urban structure to the fjord, but to further combat how the queuing area seizes valuable areas of the site, the structures to the east of the promenade, are built directly on the water. By extending the structures out over the water, the project is able to make use of space that would otherwise be unusable due to the presence of the ferry terminal. This expands the project greatly, whilst giving residents of Horten unique and direct access to the sea. In addition to providing additional space, building the structures on piles protects marine life in the fjord. Piling foundations are used when building on water, and they consist of long poles or columns that are driven into the seabed to support the weight of the structure. These piles create minimal disturbance to the marine environment, allowing the structures to be built on the water without harming the marine life in the fjord. Furthermore, building out into the water enables the use of seawater to regulate the indoor climate in these buildings in a sustainable manner. All the lamella structures are oriented towards the south, allowing for the use of passive solar design strategies to heat and light the homes

The urban strategy

residents with a sense of privacy and seclusion.

Built for a future of autonomous vehicles

The lack of parking spaces in the project on display, in favor of a drop-off road for autonomous vehicles in the west, is a forward-thinking solution that will be beneficial in the future. Autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly common, and the drop-off road in the project provides a convenient and efficient way for residents and visitors to access the buildings without the need for traditional parking spaces. One of the main benefits of this solution is the increased efficiency and convenience it provides. Autonomous vehicles are able to drop off passengers and then park themselves in designated areas, allowing residents and visitors to easily access the buildings without the need for traditional parking spaces. This not only saves space but also reduces congestion and improves the flow of traffic in the area.

Another benefit of this solution is the increased safety and security it provides. Autonomous vehicles can park themselves in designated areas, which can be monitored and controlled to ensure that they are parked in a safe and orderly manner. This reduces the potential for accidents and incidents, making the area safer and more secure for residents and visitors. In addition, the lack of traditional parking spaces and the use of a drop-off road for autonomous vehicles also has environmental benefits. Traditional parking spaces require a significant amount of space, which can be used for other purposes in the project. The use of a drop-off road for autonomous vehicles also reduces the need for traditional parking spaces, reducing the amount of space needed for parking and freeing up space for other uses.

Construction

The project is fully constructed using combination of CLT slabs, CLT walls, timber. All the lamellas are built using a and wooden frame walls. The lamellas on the water are built upon a glulam framework standing on glulam piles. The use of piles on the seabed protects marine life in the fjord and reduces the development’s environmental impact. To enable the use of glulam in salt

water, the timber is coated with a special coating protecting the timber from the elements of the sea – enabling the structure to stand for decades to come. Furthermore, the lamellas are planned and constructed in a manner to enable a rhythm of bay windows and balconies for residents of all the apartments. This further contributes to how the project enables a unique maritime lifestyle ment level.

In conclusion

Overall, this project represents a major step forward in the development of sustainable architecture and urbanism for a new post-covid Horten. The combination of private residences shared amenities, and public spaces create a vibrant and welcoming new neighborhood that enhances the natural beauty of the surroundings. The use of sustainable materials and design strategies ensures that the project is environmentally responsible and will serve the town in a sustainable way for years to come.