Peter Egges Plass

designed by PIR2 /

Location / Norway — Trondheim — Type / Playgrounds — Squares and Plazas — Built / 2021 — Show on Google Maps / Published on November 21, 2024

Petter Egges plass is situated in the medieval part of the city of Trondheim. This part of the city is characterized by its irregularity, in contrast with the straighter and wider streets built after the baroque town plan from 1681. The idea is to recreate some of this medieval structure and make Peter Egges plass a more intimate urban space than others in Trondheim’s city center.

With the new building, this urban space gets a clearer shape. The square is now recreated as a more active, intimate, and irregular space.

Petter Egges square was selected by Trondheim municipality to be a “children’s square”. This space is well protected from car traffic, and its direct connection to the main library in Trondheim make it an attractive destination for schools, young people, and families with children.

It was an important prerequisite that this should not be a traditional playground, but a town square designed also for visitors of all ages. Here there will be room for visits of daycare centers during the day, but also opportunities for concerts in the evening. The answer was a playful and flexible urban space.

To playgrounds, together with the existing fountain, form the main elements of the square, and create different situations and opportunities for activities.

Lekegrinda (the playpen) is a new lighted circular bench that embraces existing stone sculptures. This playground forms a central and unifying point between the library and the cafe. The stone sculptures combined with “reading lamps” invite you to play or sit and read.

Huskestua (the swingroom) is a covered playground made of laminated timber. Illuminated polycarbonate sheets provide shelter and illuminate the shadiest spot in the square. The room inside is filled with various hanging ropes, climbing sticks and hammocks.

The project combines responsibility for the historical context with a modern design language.

Stone sculptures and a water fountain of sculptor Bård Breivik have characterized the square since the late 1980s, and are preserved or reused as new elements in the square. Several existing trees, originally planted in perforations in the stones, had become overgrown and neglected, so they were replaced with “reading lamps” that replace the trees in the original perforations.

Because of the archaeological values in the ground, strict requirements have been set in terms of digging in the ground and changes in the soil structure, such as drainage and planting of trees. These restrictions have been important guidelines for the design.

The main material in the square is cobblestone, with some elements of slate. This to build up under the idea of a traditionally older “self-grown” town square. To ensure a universal design, sawn cobblestone has been laid in the areas with walkways and accesses.