Client: Greenland Self-Government
Project: Standard youth housing for outlying districts
Location: Greenland

Realized in coastal cities: Qaanaaq 2021, Atammik 2022, Upernavik,

Qasigiannguit, Tasiilaq, Uummannaq, Kangaatsiaq, Ittoqqortoormiit,

Qeqertarsuaq, Nanortalik, Kangaamiut, Narsaq
Engineer: Inuplan A/S

Standard youth housing for remote districts has been created in close collaboration between Qarsoq tegnestue ApS and the Greenland Self-Government. The target group is primarily young people in remote districts, but the housing can also be used for other ages, e.g. the elderly.

For young people, the homes should be a stepping stone to adulthood and help them live on their own. It is a home that does not require much when moving in, as there is already a bed, table and sofa, so the costs of setting up are kept to a minimum.

The materials are easy to maintain and robust. Everything has been selected to facilitate construction and maintenance in outer districts with a focus on sustainability. The building's facade is therefore made of untreated wood, which over time acquires a grayish patina and does not need to be painted. The homes are painted instead on the windbreaks and guardrails.
Interior renovation when changing tenants can be done easily by replacing a birch veneer wall panel, cushions and mattress.

The homes can be built in loose soil or on solid rock by 2-3 carpenters.
It is primarily a carpentry trade and a wooden frame with 240 mm insulation is built. There is no bricklaying contract and painting work is minimized. Electrical wiring is designed so that they can be carried out independently of other contractors' progress. Plumbing is carried out with visible copper pipes everywhere so it is easy to inspect and carry out operation and maintenance.

The outhouse has space for a chest freezer, tools, utensils, etc.

The youth housing is a standard house project and the first realization is 6 units in Qaanaaq, which is however an adapted version that reuses an existing steel foundation from the old UngBo.

The youth housing can also be built on 2 floors, but this is not included in the standard house project, as there are other static and fire safety requirements.