Murad.jpg

Murad Khan

Department: Furniture and spatial design/interior architecture

Nationality: Norwegian/Pakistani

E-mail: murad@khaninterior.com

 

.VÅG

How to meet the needs of the local population in one and the same place?

Våg is the heart of Laksevåg. Våg represents the soul and identity of this historical district. Våg is a sense of solidarity among the local population, Våg is a place to gather. Våg is a good conversation, a new friendship and a new experience. Våg conveys knowledge. Våg creates memories. Våg is everyone - and everyone needs to dare! Våg is Laksevåg.

What do you want to accomplish/achieve with your project?

Bergen Municipality has initiated an area of development at Laksevåg. I hope that my project can contribute to urban development by creating a place where the needs of Laksevåg locals are in focus. It is, after all, the residents of Laksevåg who are to enjoy the development initiative. Therefore, it is important that the opinions, wishes and needs of the locals are not forgotten or bypassed in the process of change. The residents of Laksevåg are going to get a place they can be proud of. A place that they need and can enjoy. Regarding the project .VÅG, I want to create a place that injects life into the city centre of Laksevåg. User-oriented urban development is central to the project.

How have you experienced the process?  

The process has been influenced by my desire to create a user-oriented place. I've spent a lot of time talking to locals about their needs and wishes, and the offers they feel are missing from the district. The needs of the local population have been the starting point for the whole process of creating .VÅG, as well as all the choices that have been made.

What has this resulted in?

.VÅG is a place that will contribute to the increased well-being of the district. Unity and fellowship have been leading principles during the project and this has resulted in a place where everyone in the community can gather and take part in various activities. I have been working to create a place that generates customer traffic and a stream of people who, with time, will make the surrounding area appealing to other industries and services. Therefore, .VÅG creates life in a city centre that is presently deserted and characterized by little activity.

Specifically, who will benefit from your project?

The project can be viewed as a contribution to the future vision of a living Laksevåg. The local population are placed in the centre and they will gain particular benefit from the project. In addition, the municipality, nonprofit organizations and landowners can use the project as a concrete example and a genuine proposal regarding the district’s imminent development.

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