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Now this iconic house can be protected

DNB had put the architectural pearl up for sale. Then the National Heritage Board contacted and wanted to protect the home – in the middle of the sale process.

The house designed by Wenche and Jens Selmer is “an architectural gem”, according to the Finn ad.

May 20, 2022 5:31 p.m.

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On one level with wooden materials and large windows is the home of two of the post-war most famous architects. Wenche and Jens Selmer designed their own home.

Now two grandchildren have put the house in Trosterudstien 1 up for sale. Price estimate: 22 million kroner. “An architectural gem”, according to the Finn ad.

The 1556 m plot is located on Gråkammen in Oslo and is described as both sunny and sheltered. The ad was posted in early May.

Byantikvaren in Oslo was among those who discovered the unique sale object, which is already on their yellow list. They then contacted the National Heritage Board. And vips – then a conservation process was underway.

– We believe it is important that people who are interested in the property are aware that the building has values ​​that are worth preserving for the future.

This information must come before a sale, says Riksantikvar Hanna Geiran to Aftenposten.

Wenche Selmer’s house from 1963 was put up for sale at the beginning of May this year. It is seen as a piece of important architectural history.

– Do not put glass bell over the house

Geiran says that Wenche Selmer’s house is a very important building in Norwegian architectural history. They belong to the architectural style of modernism. Selmer was concerned with book quality, good terrain adaptation and closeness to nature.

The house is award-winning and a role model for many Norwegian architects, according to her.

– The National Heritage Board believes that the house has a high architectural, architectural historical and cultural environmental value. The house has been owned by the family, and has been taken care of, Geiran continues.

So what happens now? What does it mean that a conservation process is underway?

– Notification of the start of a protection case is the first step in a process in which we, together with the owner, must, among other things, assess the scope of protection, the National Heritage Board elaborates.

A protection case consists of several formal steps, which include public consultation. But the National Heritage Board wants a quick clarification of the conservation value and scope of conservation.

– We will of course have contact with the owner about this, says Geiran.

Does that mean the new lucky owner will not be able to make any changes to the house?

– A possible protection does not mean that we put a glass bell over Wenche Selmer’s house. It must be possible to make changes. But we believe that the great values ​​in the house must be taken care of for the future, she says.

Wenche Selmer’s house was completed in 1963. The same year, Sundt’s prize was awarded for good architecture.

– The timing is a bit unfortunate

Hugo Netland is a real estate agent for DNB and one of the two responsible for the sale.

He confirms that the National Heritage Board contacted both them and the heirs on Wednesday last week, with a desire to preserve the property.

When the National Heritage Board made contact, the sales process was well underway.

– The timing is a bit unfortunate, but the National Heritage Board has been cooperative and many of the potential buyers have been understanding when the home was on the yellow list before.

Iconic architectural house for sale for 22 million. Now the National Heritage Board wants to preserve the house – in the middle of the sale process.

Netland says most people understand the desire to protect the home.

– Wenche Selmer’s house and solutions, that’s what we sell. Most have understood this after they have been notified that the National Heritage Board has contacted them.

The broker says that a protection will limit changes inside and out, but that the scope is not clear.

– If the home is protected, then it is not the case that you can not touch a nail. A protection brings with it advantages in the form of support schemes, and some disadvantages with regard to limited opportunities for change.

Netland says they have had a good response to the home. Although he has a long career in the industry, it is not every day that such a house appears.

The house offers so many hidden features you rarely see, says Netland.

– Wooden sensors, hidden cabinets, light shielding on lamps, interior sliding walls so you can easily divide the house into several zones. Everything is well thought out.

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