WHERE 


The project is situated in the centre of the Norwegian city Bergen, in a neighbourhood called Vågsbunnen. The compact area of Vågsbunnen was once the heart of the city in the medieval past, with short walking distances, squares and markets. This is where life happened-supported by the functions as the centre of trade and craftsmanship.

Today, the structure is still possible to read with its narrow streets and organisation of the typologies. The human scale that remains in Vågsbunnen reminds us of a past - when urban areas grew gradually, based on the functions they hosted and were planned for people. 

Furthermore, Vågsbunnen has some abandoned buildings and spaces with unclear use, like the quarter of Hans Tanks and its two empty school buildings. This specific quarter draws our attention to the creation of urban void, treated with carelessness and lack of respect towards its history.

The quarter of Hans Tanks consists of two separated backyards. The first one was once a public schoolyard that is now only accessible as parking for the private owner of the school. The second one is an alternative backyard, hosting both formal and informal cultural events, and function as an essential temporary space for many residents and visitors in the area. Nevertheless, the access is not clear due to that space is surrounded by fences and barriers. 

Additionally, the streets surrounding the quarter of Hans Tanks, has a lot of cultural institutions, which functions as essential drivers in the city. Also, the area offers some activities during different times of the day; mostly related to commercial shopping, bars and eateries. Nevertheless, there is a lack of accessible space, especially for a more extensive diversity of users.










WHAT


This project aims to investigate and explore the potential of Hans Tanks Kvartalet, as an inclusive and friendly quarter of Bergen. The intention is to open up the two former backyards for public use and to reinforce interaction between people since Vågsbunnen demonstrates the potential as a meeting point and urban space.

Therefore, the main idea is to turn the interior courtyard inside-out, making the activities and programs of the surrounding buildings turn towards the yard. This will cause that the buildings have no backsides and the yard will be activated into an urban square.

Moreover, the empty school buildings will get a public program in the shape of a cultural platform, connected to the existing cultural drivers and existing programs in Vågsbunnen. Consequently, the project aims to include groups and ages that are not included in the present situation.

WHY


Globally, the inner centre of cities are exposed to a higher amount of privatisation and are being bought up by investors and speculators. This also applies to the area of Vågsbunnen, where a few real estate investors are the owners of several blocks. The risk of a privatised centre is that it will segregate people and only let a limited amount of people use the space. In times when cities become denser and more populated, it becomes even more crucial that significant central areas do not become inaccessible and only occupied by private owners.

Moreover, the owners have started a process of building another exclusive luxury hotel in the empty space next to the Hans Tanks school, that will close the access to the more temporary courtyard. Since it is the presence and density of people that make a city, we see an urgent need of discussing what a hotel should give for the city, in this historic spot. 

Since the new development ideas from the owner treat to eliminate the distinctive atmosphere and the cultural life that exist in the quarter, we see the need to open up the two backyards of Hans Tanks Kvartalet to the public and create access through the proposed hotel, by starting to remove barriers. When letting people use the space, we can make sure that no economic - or social barrier is stopping people from having access to the historical heart of Bergen. With better accessibility, people will be able to physically move freely inside the yard, as well as strengthening the social, economic and ecological aspects of inclusivity.

Additionally, applying the concepts of universal design it will include groups that otherwise would not be able to use the space. The intention to open up the backyard is first and foremost to give access to people who live and work in the neighbourhood, and for those who take part in the programs and activities offered in the surrounding buildings. Secondly, space is for those who temporarily visit the area and for those who are curious to explore it. 

Lastly, we see the opportunity to connect our project to the cultural drivers in Vågsbunnen. By doing this action, we strive to achieve a cultural platform, that with its publicness will reach out to people that otherwise would not be able to use the space.



HOW


First of all, we want to apply the concepts and conclusions of our essays into analysis and the design. (Inclusive City, Friendly City and Universal Design). To transform our thoughts into physical form, we need to make hierarchies of what is essential and then start to experiment with models, drawings and maps. We will then test the findings on different scales.

Secondly, we will use a variety of methods while working on our project. This will be done by studying Vågsbunnen and Hans Tanks Skole in relation to the context. We want to work with inclusion in various scales: both urban and human.



By understanding the needs of Vågsbunnen, and looking deeper into the historical and programmatic change of space and activities, this project will go deeper into the activation of the urban void of Hans Tanks Videregående Skole. The area of the school will be used as a case study of how to activate the neighbourhood.

By opening the backyards to the public and adding a public program in the former school buildings, we make sure that the area is preserved and will continue to be public in the future. When doing this, the space needs to be renegotiated in terms of ownership, between the public and private. By maintaining the quarter and amplifying accessibility, both the private owners, the local neighbourhood and the municipality will gain from getting an improved quality of this central and historically significant site. Also, it is a way of retaining the historical value of the particular environment and strengthening the existing qualities of Vågsbunnen.

 

The first action in the design phase is to remove the barriers from the backyards space. This will create an attraction and destination, and make sure that space is planned for people. The second action is to work with urban carpet and greeneries. Thirdly, some public elements will be added. The last is to start the rehabilitation of the school buildings and to add the new programs inside.