A 25-strong Norwegian delegation toured award-winning projects from Oberlanders Architects as part of a fact-finding visit to Edinburgh.

Representatives from Oslo’s Agency for Planning and Building Services, together with a cross-party group of Norwegian politicians, were seeking an insight into how the Scottish Government, Scottish architects and developers blend modern developments within a heritage environment.

The delegation spent three days in talks with the City of Edinburgh Council and visited various projects, including Oberlanders’ multiple award-winning student accommodation schemes: Sugarhouse Close and Holyrood North.

Among the Oslo party were Ellen De Vibe, director Agency for Planning and Building Services; Victoria Evensen, committee chair for Urban Planning & Development; Hanna Marcussen, vice mayor; Janne Wilberg, director of the cultural heritage management; and Kristin NotØ, programme organiser, chief planner and head architect at the Agency for Planning and Building Services.

Andrew Wilmot, Oberlanders’ partner and project lead architect, gave the delegation a one-hour talk and walk guided tour, assisted by associate architects Gillian Blackburn and David McNabb.

Andrew Wilmot said: “We were delighted to showcase two of our recent developments. Both demonstrate that high density, commercially successful architecture can deliver positive experiences and create a unique sense of place. It’s flattering that the world now comes to these corners of Edinburgh to see what’s possible when clients, developers, architects and city planners work together with an aspiration to create something exceptional.”

Organiser Kristin NotØ added: “We have come to this beautiful city of Edinburgh on a fact-finding mission to see urban housing developments within an historic cultural heritage site. We are particularly interested in the design and building process here in Scotland, and the required regulations, applications and citizen participation.

“We were very keen to hear what everyone involved had learned from these processes. As a group we especially wanted to look at examples of student accommodation, and therefore chose two of Oberlanders’ award winning projects as examples of how to get it right.”