At the once industry-heavy bank of the river Akerselva, one of Oslo’s most interesting new city development projects, called Vulkan, has come to life.

Innovative, eco-friendly architecture defines this neighbourhood, which, among other sustainable features, has a local energy centre with 300-metre deep geothermal wells, and an office building with an exterior that is visually defined by its extensive solar water heating system.

Vulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, a large exclusive food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. It is the Oslo-based architect firm LPO that has developed and transformed Vulkan from a run-down industrial area to a vital new neighbourhood right in the centre of Oslo.