{"id":1680,"date":"2020-01-02T21:16:16","date_gmt":"2020-01-03T01:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reprogrammingthecity.com\/?p=1680"},"modified":"2022-08-04T14:36:19","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T18:36:19","slug":"railway-underpass-transformed-into-a-climbing-wall-and-community-play-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reprogrammingthecity.com\/railway-underpass-transformed-into-a-climbing-wall-and-community-play-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Railway Underpass Transformed into a Community Play Space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Ammerud, Norway, a dark disused railway underpass has been reborn as a play space with climbing wall and exercise equipment to turn a public eyesore into a loved feature of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Municipality of Oslo, students from AHO<\/a> (The Oslo School of Architecture and Design) and residents of Ammerud<\/a> worked together to transform the 30-meter-long underpass from a dark space people would avoid, to a community area where people now love spending time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTunnelen\u201d (\u201cThe tunnel\u201d), is now \u201can underpass of activities”, a social meeting place, and a point of pride for local residents. The previously dark concrete passage is now a well-lit corridor containing a climbing wall, Norway\u2019s longest monkey bar, a creative exercise area, and an illuminated line which not only lights up the underpass but also tells the story of Ammerud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tunnelen:
Tunnelen: The Ammerud Underpass<\/strong> | Before and After<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The project team of AHO students, Mikkel Brandt Bugge, Asveig Marie Jellestad<\/a> and Taral Jansen<\/a>, began with a simple question: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy should an underpass only be used as an underpass<\/a>?\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Working extensively with local residents, especially the community\u2019s young citizens, the group collectively designed a space that increases public safety and offers a variety of opportunities for play and exercise to improve wellbeing and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beginning with a budget of NOK 500,000 ($58,000 USD), the \u201cstrong design delivery\u201d coming from the student project team and community engagement resulted in 1.8 million NOK ($211,000 USD) in support from the Oslo Municipality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ammerud Underpass has received prestigious design awards<\/a> and honorable mentions and has been featured extensively in national and international media and websites. Bridges and underpasses everywhere have untapped potential<\/a>, and the Tunnelen proves what can be possible when someone looks at a space and thinks “This Could Be…”<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a global overview of 44 projects from 17 countries that repurpose urban objects for new use, get a copy of the Reprogramming the City book<\/a> today!<\/p>\n\n\n