HOUSE OF THE WEEK: Christian Norberg-Schulz's Planetveien 14, Oslo

Planetveien 14 is the house that Christian Norberg-Schulz designed for himself in 1955 in Oslo. Only in his mid-twenties at the time, the architect designed the house as part of a housing development with Arne Korsmo. Although Norberg-Schulz (1926-2000) was a trained and very talented architect who was distinguishing Norway’s Modernism movement from a young age, he is most remembered for his contribution to western architectural history and theory during the Post-modern period from the 1970s. In his writings and research, Norberg-Schulz took particular interest in Classical architecture and the baroque. His house was designed as part of a new private suburban development on the slopes of the Vettakollen, with striking views down to the Oslo fjord. However, the ten-house development was to be built in phases and in the end only three of the properties were built – Norberg-Schulz’s, Korsmo’s and one for the original landowner. The house is seen as an important stage in the history of Norwegian architecture for introducing concrete construction into the single family dwelling, advancing the aesthetic of the flat roof, using bold colours and interpenetrating platonic volumes. With its glazed, segmented rear elevation and visible curtains inside, the house is reminiscent of John Winter’s house in Highgate featured on the blog yesterday and currently for sale, as well as Casa Arco by Pezo von Ellrichshausen, Chile.

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