Invisible Engineering in Molde’s New Urban District
Arvid Loe
Sales representative / Market manager Norway
When Probiz AS and Skanska commenced the development of the first 55 apartments at Grand Fjære, the goal was clear: to create a seamless link between the city’s commercial hubs. To realize the architect's vision of clean lines and efficient assembly, Invisible Connections was chosen as the turnkey supplier for structural connection solutions.
Just east of Molde’s city center, in an area defined by 150 years of industrial history, Grand Fjære is emerging as a modern landmark. Behind maintenance-free sandwich panels in colored concrete lie solutions that not only save time on-site but also ensure an aesthetically clean finish without visible supports.
In Short:
Project: Development of a modern urban district east of Molde city center, linking two major commercial areas.
Delivery: Invisible Connections has supplied complete connection solutions for balconies, internal concrete stairs, and cast-in items for connecting hollowcore slabs and shear walls.
Technical Solutions: The use of BWC WB with diagonal struts for balconies and TSS for stair connections ensures HSE-friendly and rapid assembly.
Construction: The buildings feature low-maintenance sandwich panels in colored concrete.
Scope: Phase 1 consists of 3 blocks with 55 apartments. Phase 2 is scheduled to commence in Spring 2026, adding 2 blocks and 53 apartments.
Key Partners: Developed by Probiz AS, BBW AS, and Skanska AS. Structural engineering and precast element delivery by Elementpartner. Additional engineering by Norconsult and BBW AS.
Efficiency in Every Element
The project demanded high logistical standards and technical precision. Invisible Connections provided a wide range of solutions to simplify the assembly of precast concrete elements:
- Balconies: By utilizing BWC WB, the balconies were installed with maximum safety and minimal visual noise.
- Seamless Staircases: Internal concrete stairs flow elegantly between floors thanks to the renowned TSS units, which eliminate the need for visible corbels.
- Structural Strength: IC also supplied significant quantities of materials for connecting hollowcore slabs and internal shear walls, ensuring a stable and robust structure.
This has not only provided the partners with the clean lines they desired but has also ensured a significantly faster and safer assembly phase on-site
Grand Fiære
Grand Fiære
Project Facts:
- Location: Molde, Norway
- Construction Period: 2024–2026
- Client: Probiz AS
- Main Contractor: Skanska AS (Mid-Norway Dept.)
- Architect: bbw AS
- Precast Manufacturer: Elementpartner AS
- Structural Engineer (RIB): Norconsult
- IC Solutions: BWC WB (Balconies), TSS (Stairs), and connection materials for hollowcore slabs and shear walls.
Collaboration as a Foundation
In a complex project like Grand Fjære, the people behind the technology are vital. Project Manager at Elementpartner, Hallbjørn Langstein, led the execution phase in close collaboration with the IC team - represented by Project Manager Arvid Loe and Production Manager John Egil Sæther.
"In a project like Grand Fjære, where aesthetics and efficiency must go hand in hand, we truly see the value of our hidden solutions. By integrating BWC and TSS units early in our collaboration with Elementpartner and Skanska, we eliminated the need for space-consuming corbels and visible supports. This has not only provided the architect with the clean lines they desired but has also ensured a significantly faster and safer assembly phase on-site," says Arvid Loe.
As Phase 1 stands as a testament to successful precast construction, focus is already shifting toward Spring 2026. This will mark the start of Phase 2, adding two more blocks and 53 new apartments to the area. With colored concrete and low-maintenance sandwich walls, Grand Fjære is built to last for generations—and we are grateful that this modern prestige project also showcases the value of local, high-end Norwegian engineering from Åndalsnes.
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