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Architects Directory 2009

 

MIR Arkitektur

Norway

BIOGRAPHY AND PRACTICE

MIR Arkitektur was founded in Oslo 2000 by Joachim Østlie and Andreas Haukeland. Currently the associates include Malin Dahlman and Pål Sylwester Witchzak. All studied in the city, but have also had spells in Australia and Portugal. On a series of villas and summer houses in Norway, the architects have worked hard at implementing elements of straightforward industrial production into their designs - 'a resource both for design and sustainability.'

Their ongoing work at trying to find a middle ground between program and context means that Mir are not precious about a consistent aesthetic. The studio's Villa EH2-4 in Sandvika is a relatively straightforward modernist house, while the Summer house Lillevik, Norway, is an exploration of the vernacular wooden summer retreat, compact and highly crafted.

THE HOUSE

The Puzzle House is based around a solid structural beam that can be placed on any site and any type of terrain. Thanks to modular construction, the owners can add on additional modules, such as a larger kitchen, a new bedroom, a storage pod or even a sauna. The new elements are simply hung onto the main beam so the house can grow organically over time and according to new demands.

THE FUTURE

Currently underway is a new office building on a prominent triangular site Tjuvholmen, Oslo. The facade is arranged so that each floorplate appears to knit together at the corner.

www.mirarkitektur.no