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The proposal is to create a new identity for Huntonstranda, to unleash the
greatest potential of this site's area. The main intention is to install a grid plan
and to construct the main north-south axis line that is part of the new
infrastructure. This main street is be conceived as the lineal structural line that
connects the public open spaces of Huntonstranda with the rest of Gjøvik. On
both sides of this axis line, different public activities are intended, (caferestaurants,
sport, leisure and recreational) which complements the various
residential building blocks and enterprises along this route.
Various open spaces too can be located as urban 'outlets or pockets of
activities' along this axis line in accordance with the different daytime activities.
One has the placement of the higher mixed residential blocks, located to the
west of this main Street and the lower housing blocks to the eastern side, in
close proximity to the Canal. The Canal is an essential facilitator of the urban
breathing space. This area is a noise buffer zone envisaged as a car free
sphere.

THE CONCEPT

The main vision is to generate a township that is attractive for mixed housing
development, cultural activities, general non-profit facilities and hotels that offer
a substantial enrichment to Huntonstranda thereby generating the new field of
urban dynamism for rest of Gjøvik.
In doing so, the ambition too is to encompass the environmental friendly
measures for all the new development undertakings in respect of the
sustainable philosophy.
The new urban typology links to the rest of Gjøvik, made possible through the
new routes by means of the new road connections and footbridges.
The infrastructure can be assembled in such a manner as to diffuse the
architectural barriers and to give rise to new catalytic urban developments.

THE SET UP

For the new development, one has the following salient points to note:
- a diverse range of building height lines are inaugurated into the overall
proposal to allow flexibility and interest.
-new inlets are located next to the Rv4 road in order to assign the important
links with the rest of Gjøvik.
-the danger of flooding is met with several raised levels in order to safeguard
the continuous functions of the Huntonstranda site.
-the new cultural area is placed mainly to the north of Huntonstranda above
Hunnselva that establishes the expanded cultural landscape (see planimplementation
of enhanced cultural area) where the existing museums can be
found nearby. The initiative is to develop the riverbank route here, envisaged as
a high quality urban development tract.

THE AIMS

As the urban and environmental friendly grid is put into place, well connected
with the rest of the town, the full exploitation of the views to Mjøsa lake and the
accessibility to the eastern waterfront at all times guarantees the attractiveness
of these sites for everyone, especially in its recreational use. The endeavour is
to embrace the green values that underpin the whole urban development. The
south waterfront at Fredevika features a typology that pays host to a series of
mixed recreational facilities/ leisure activities/ restaurants/ retail units together
with the beach promenade.
A good mixture of functions that lie at the centre of Huntonstranda
(Kindergarten, medical clinics, cafes/ restaurants, keep fit studios etc) ensures
an active social interplay and is a new precinct for all age groups. The mixed
housing blocks will accommodate the inhabitants' diverse cultural and
economic backgrounds where they may reside comfortably. The inbuilt facilities
alongside the main axis route accedes well to the high lifestyle qualities in
relation to the local green environment and outdoor spaces.
The whole area contains approximately 125 000 square metres (BTA), the
urban housing development that is designed from four to six levels, covering all
housing types and with a cultural area of approximately 17 000 square metres
(BTA). The desire is to encourage future housing and cultural buildings of the
highest standards. See the urban diagrams for more information.
The vision for Huntonstranda aspires to be the greatest future centre of gravity
for the whole of this region. In building the new infrastructure, Huntonstranda
area will be a major catalyst for future urban growth and an important township
for future inhabitants and businesses.
The released potential will signal the greatest dynamism possible for this region
and will significantly contribute physically, visually and economically to the rest
of Gjøvik and the surrounding townships.

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL/ CLIMATE/ ENERGY AND TRANSPORT

The underlining vision is to reduce energy consumption and the
whole area is envisioned as an environmental friendly place made
possible through various green measures, choice of right building
materials such as laminated timber structures (Massivtre) and the
infrastructure (green parks and Canal). The pedestrian traffic routes
and bicycle tracks have first priority here in the grid infrastructure
with good interconnections to the rest of the town.

A. URBAN DEVELOPMENT FEATURES

Attractive interconnections are located in to ensure the wellfunctioning
utilizations with the rest of the town. The location of the
new cultural tract is located in the north sector above Hunnselva.
This tract will contribute much to the existing town centre nearby as
well as Huntonstranda. The new cultural facilities are made
accessible by the new footbridge over the railway lines from the
town centre.

B. SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

The urban typology enables the minimal energy consumption in
order to meet the highest standards of BREEAM. The reduction in
vehicles is the essential component of the urban concept together
with the greater emphasis on bicycle / pedestrian routes / public
transport and shared car use. The bicycle route is therefore part of
the main axis line.
The challenge too is to satisfy the safety guidelines that deal with
the potential flooding and this is made possible by having raised
platform levels across the eastern sites.

C. DEVELOPMENT PLAN

As part of the plan to implement the development in stages, the
following is to be noted:
~in the cultural centre area located north of the Hunnselva,
additional amenities for the cultural area include a new Hotel placed
above the exhibition hall and the retail services next to the Fine and
performing arts centre.
~the Library and literature house is placed near Fredevika area,
connected with an open public space with its own day and night
time programs. This building should connect to the town's NTNU as
part of the essential drive to encourage the students to study and
spend their time here in this area.
~ the housing blocks can to be installed first near Hunnselva,
signalling the start of the new township enterprise.
~ business/ retail spaces that meet the precinct's requirements are
part of the concept plan in order that these areas can thrive
economically.
~various subdivisions incorporated into the main development plan
include outdoor activity spaces and which can be managed feasibly.