Project alliance - Good collaboration has ensured success

Photo: Bård Gudim

Early involvement, ownership, good relationships and collaboration methods, as well as a focus on efficiency and sustainability, have contributed to the success of the project alliance Team Veidekke DA Ulven at the Ulven development in Oslo.

- Good teamwork and presence on the construction site have given us great benefits from the project alliance Team Veidekke DA Ulven, says John Erling Strand, Director of Building & Property Oslo at Multiconsult. Team Veidekke DA Ulven consists of the part-owners Veidekke Entreprenør, LPO Arkitekter, Multiconsult, Landskaperiet, Dr. techn. Olav Olsen and Bravida. To date, the team has delivered two residential projects and has two more residential projects and an office building under construction.

Early ownership

Team Veidekke DA Ulven won an innovation competition organized by OBOS in 2017. Since then, the parties have worked together on the design and construction of what is one of Oslo's largest development areas. OBOS is the client and developer of the entire Ulven area, with approx. 1,600 homes and 4,500 jobs.

- A lot of work and innovative thinking was put into the competition, which was realized through the first construction phase. From there we took with us knowledge and experience, which made it possible to optimize solutions and methods in the next steps, says Strand.

He points out that collaboration between the same actors and key people over several years has helped to build strong relationships. This has provided a significantly increased ownership of the project compared to other implementation models.

”Collaboration between players over several years resulted in increased ownership”

John Erling Strand

Director Construction and Property Oslo

Efficient and sustainable

One of OBOS' main goals was to encourage innovation and new thinking. This resulted in it being possible to build 20 percent cheaper. The alliance has managed to meet its goals of reduced costs while maintaining high quality in the delivery. This has meant that OBOS has continually ordered new construction stages.

The fact that housing projects are increasingly standardized and industrialized is both efficient and sustainable. This results in reduced material use, shorter construction time and lower greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, it results in fewer deviations and makes it easier to ensure high quality in the delivery.

OBOS, in collaboration with tenant Veidekke, has stepped up its environmental ambitions for the office building and set a goal of a full 50 percent greenhouse gas reduction compared to the reference building. The result is, among other things, innovative low-carbon concrete, reuse from other projects and a significant amount of solar cells on the roof and in the facade. The building will be certified according to the Breeam Excellent standard.

- It has been both exciting and educational to be involved in developing cost-effective buildings with high quality, while at the same time succeeding with both innovations and sustainability goals, says John Erling Strand.