“This has been a very rewarding project to work on,” says project manager Sindre Tjøstheim. “Omega 365 Protek has been involved from the zoning phase and the initial concept and start-up sketches, through to the preparation of tender documents. We are now assisting the client with the detailed design of the building.”

A shared housing community for active seniors

The housing community will consist of 16 individual apartments, each with a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and a small kitchenette. All meals will be served in a shared living area, and there will be an institutional kitchen where food is prepared for the residents. The facility will be fully staffed and is scheduled for completion in December 2026. According to the plan, the first residents will move in in February 2027.

“This will be a place for older adults who are too active to live in a nursing home, but who can no longer, or no longer wish to live alone,” architect Hilde Berit Alvsåker explains.

The building is constructed in wood. While modern buildings often use steel structures hidden within the walls, visible timber structures have been chosen here in line with guidelines from the municipality. There is also a strong focus on reuse, including an old slate roof that will be repurposed as roofing and cladding material. Alvsåker describes the client as an engaging and forward-thinking partner.

“Suldal Municipality places great emphasis on the users and on ensuring that the shared housing truly feels like home. A key priority has been reducing the institutional feel and instead enhancing sensory qualities through materials, colors, and lighting. Many measures have been taken to increase the aesthetic experience of the building, including thoughtful use of color and organizing the structure around two atriums. This allows plenty of natural light into the corridors and common areas.”

A seamless transition for future care needs

Omega 365 Protek has contributed expertise from all disciplines during the preliminary project phase and public procurement process. In the current phase, they are providing client advisory services. With all three architectural disciplines involved, Omega 365 Protek has worked extensively to enhance the building’s aesthetic qualities and to ensure that its surroundings resemble Suldal Nursing Home, which was completed in 2025.

“Our architects, landscape architects, and interior architects have worked closely on both projects. Many residents at Vinjarheim may eventually move to Suldal Nursing Home as their care needs increase, and it is reassuring for them to encounter familiar surroundings.”

Read more about Vinjarheim in this article from Suldalsposten.

Omega 365 Protek

Omega 365 Protek is a multidisciplinary consultancy and engineering company with solid experience in design, project management, construction, and infrastructure. The company works with both public and private clients, delivering services ranging from analysis and early-stage planning to design and follow-up throughout the entire project lifecycle. Their services include project management, process design, piping, layout and mechanical engineering, architecture, geomatics, and more.

With a goal of further developing sustainable solutions, the departments in Ølensvåg, Haugesund, Bergen, Stord, and Sauda are working to strengthen Omega 365 Protek’s position as a total supplier of project services.