Øystein Stave Larsen, Water and Environment Norway

Øystein has a five-year degree from technical departments at what was formerly known as Norges Landbrukshøgskole (NLH), now University for Environmental and Bioscience (UMB), within the subjects of municipal engineering and mathematics.

“Many probably would like to say that when it comes to water and drainage, I have these things in my genes. When I got a tip that a degree engineering program had been started at NLH, I sent in my application for a study place there, for lack of other tempting possibilities.”

He works primarily with detail projection of water and sewage facilities, among them a number of sewer decontamination projects as well as management of construction. The last 2-3 years, he has also been working with field development. He would like to call particular attention to the interdisciplinary project at the Sole lot in Vestby municipality, where SWECO has assisted with detail projection within the areas of acoustics, fire safety, electricity, VVS, structural engineering and VVA. Øystein is SWECO’s project manager for this project.

“The best thing with my job is that I have had the chance to direct my own projects, and in this way get to work independently. I have responsibility, and the work supplies constant new challenges. Ultimately, this gives me the opportunity to gain skills and develop myself.

“I like working with people, and in this job I am constantly coming into contact with new people, especially in connection with directing building projects. I also want to mention my pleasant colleagues and the good working environment at the office in Ski.” He thinks it is difficult to pick out the most exciting project he has worked on at SWECO.

“I have gotten to participate in many exciting projects, but the one I would probably say is the best is the project leader role I now have at the Sole lot in Vestby municipality. In that project, around 1500 residential units will be built in the course of 15-20 years. SWECO has the contract for detail projection of all of the main facilities for roads, water and sewage. Additionally, up until now we have projected seven apartment blocks with a total of approximately 110 apartments within the technical areas mentioned above.

“We have had excellent feedback from our efforts, and I think we have a good chance to have more involvement in the project.

“I enjoy following projects that include everything from detail projection, bidding, evaluation, contract negotiation and construction management. It gives you a special sense of satisfaction to be able to follow a project the whole way from the planning / projection phase up to the finished construction. That is what I get to do here.”