Skyplattformene

Skyplattformene refers to elevated pedestrian platforms that extend above street level or project from building facades to create public spaces, viewpoints, or connections between structures. In contemporary architecture and urban design, these platforms are explored as a way to add surface activity without increasing ground-level footprints.

Etymology and scope: The term combines the Norwegian word for sky and platform, with the plural ending -ene. In design discourse, skyplattformene encompass any elevated, publicly accessible deck or promenade—whether cantilevered from a high-rise, integrated into a roofline, or connected between buildings.

Design and construction: Common implementations use steel or concrete decks, sometimes with glass elements or transparent panels. Structural systems include cantilevers, trussed frames, or suspended cables. Key considerations are wind resistance, safety barriers, accessibility, weather protection, and maintenance, all balanced with the goal of usable public space.

Functions and uses: Skyplattformene can serve as connectors between buildings, overlooks for urban viewing, or elevated spaces for markets, gardens, or cultural installations. They aim to enhance mobility and activity at higher levels, provide shelter from street-level conditions, and offer new perspectives on urban form.

History and development: The concept draws on longer traditions of skyways and elevated walkways but has evolved with modern, multi-use urban design. Contemporary approaches emphasize flexibility, modularity, and integration with transit-oriented development, allowing adaptation to existing structures or new builds.

Examples and reception: In planning discourse, skyplattformene are discussed as solutions for dense cities, though concerns include cost, structural complexity, wind effects, accessibility, and potential impacts on street life. Related concepts include skybridges, elevated promenades, and aerial parks.