Vidars Gate: Loft-to-Apartment Transformation by R21 Arkitekter in Oslo

Adaptive reuse can turn overlooked buildings into standout homes. Vidars Gate is a clear example: two modern apartments carved from a single loft originally built in the 1920s. The project, executed by R21 Arkitekter, opens the old loft with four large, contemporary arcs that bring daylight deep into the volume and reframe the historic envelope as a bright, functional living space.

The main architectural move is both simple and powerful: four curved arcs cut into the loft, creating new interior volumes while redefining the building’s street-facing silhouette. These arcs function as light wells and spatial organizers. A continuous glass wall enhances the openness between the living, dining and kitchen areas on the lower level, while bedrooms occupy the upper level. The glass barrier also visually extends the interior into the city, making the compact plan feel generous and airy.

Inside, the palette is restrained and contemporary: whites and grays dominate, allowing the play of light and shadow to become a primary design feature. The kitchen sits between the living and dining areas, acting as a transitional core that supports everyday life while avoiding dark corners—thanks to the arcs and generous glazing. Carefully chosen sconce lighting and minimal decorative elements maintain the calm, modern atmosphere throughout.

Beyond daylight and volume, the design makes smart use of outdoor space. Each apartment benefits from a private rooftop terrace positioned above an arc, creating a secluded urban retreat. These terraces take full advantage of the rooftop situation, offering a quiet vantage point above the street while reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor living that is central to contemporary loft living.

Each of the apartments has a rooftop terrace on top of an arc. The project is all about exploiting the qualities that the rooftop situation represents. The minimalistic expression of the arcs is made to match the stripped down facades of the modestly built house without the ornaments and details typically found on buildings in this area.

The project demonstrates how a modest, ornament-free façade can gain presence and usability through careful intervention. The arcs are deliberately minimal in expression so they harmonize with the building’s simple exterior while introducing a contemporary gesture that reads clearly from the street. This measured approach respects the structure’s history while giving it a new, functional identity.

Practical interior solutions help the apartments live well. A contemporary, minimal staircase with integrated storage optimizes the vertical connection between levels, while compact yet effective kitchen and dining layouts maximize usable floor area. The combination of light and dark finishes creates contrast and depth without overwhelming the minimalist aesthetic.

Floor plans clarify the spatial strategy: living, dining and kitchen functions occupy the lower floor, with sleeping areas arranged above to maximize privacy. The arcs structure both the plan and the roof terraces, producing distinct spatial experiences at each level without requiring extensive subdivision of the original loft volume.

Photography: Studiooslo, Bergur Briem