Hejdu Sverige!... Hej hej Toronto?!

Artilleristallet_Historic Plans_Magasinsgatan_Goteborg, Sverige_Programme Transformation

Historic Ground Floor - Cavalry and Workshop 

Second Level

* Note - All images taken from Gothenburg Archive, December 2010.  

A PROGRAMME THROUGH TIME...

The site has gone through massive forms of transformation - from cavalry, to workshop, and finally to a parking garage and lot.   Anyone who visits the site would agree that it is most definitely not being used to it’s potential.   

A diverse programme focused primarily at the arts including: workshops, meeting spaces, and informal exhibition space fits well within the context.   The site is surrounded by a variety of retail shops all geared towards a higher end bohemian vibe.  This energy, or vibe, is intense and can be easily identified on the site.  With the owners need to renovate the existing building, and the demand for the community surrounding, [INSERT] slab is a low income, highly adaptable and convertable solution.

Perspective from existing parking lot_Magasinsgatan_Artilleristallet_Goteborg,Sverige

Arkitekt - Sverige

Yesterday was my final presentation seminar. Generally, this is the time where a panel reviews your master thesis, comments and decides within the following three categories where your project should be placed: fail, pass (unconditional - therefore, no matter what you do from here, you've already passed), pass (conditional - you must complete a few tasks before final public presentation).

Lucky for me, I was given an unconditional pass.  So now I can call myself an ARKITEKT in Sweden, and most other European and Asian countries... all but Canada, the US, and England.

At least it's one step closer to world domination!

Laser Cutting_Day 2_ Section Model Magasinsgatan_ 1:100_Work in Progress

INSERT Slab_Site Model_ Magasinsgatan_Goteborg, Sverige_ [1:200]

What happened to Good Architecture - Why is everyone over designing??

The essential elements found in what I call "good architecture" incorporate, but are not limited to the following:

• Context: People, place and time - social, cultural
• Materiality: Carefully considered based on context, climate, durability, cost and the environment
• Light: Understanding and giving importance to the interior and exterior space; controlling the way the light moves and changes in any space in time.
• Relevance - Why is this particular transformation or intervention important to society?  How will it adapt, change and grow in the future?

As a student of architecture, I have been influenced and taught by many who are stuck in a concept of architecture which doesn't seem all that tangible.  Rather this influence has been so heavily based on reaching a level of aesthetic, making architects like Mies, Le Corbusier and FLW come back to life only to laugh in our faces.  I think it would come down to one wise crack suggesting that architecture no longer exists... or maybe that in today's society, we are not training architects!  Are we all graphic designers?

Well, all I can say is that my thesis is about to rear it's ugly head and come to a conclusion.  For all those thinking that architecture is never really finished, I agree! However, it's called a deadline, and mine is roughly 30 days away.  That said, my aspiration is to practice good architecture; from thesis work to professional practice.  

Wish me luck!

Wake up and smell the FIKA! - Attention all Designers

After nearly two years of studying in Göteborg, Sweden, I have realized a few things about how the cold weather and little daylight in winter time directly affect Scandinavian public space.

1.  "The urban Greenhouse" - What is more recognizable as a glass enclosed extension used as an for most pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.  This is a fully enclosed glazed space which faces the street, and generally gives the impression of being outdoors.  People love to sit in these kind of spaces, because it's like being outside with actually stepping foot into the cold Nordic climate.

You enjoy your cappuccino in the sun without feeling the wind, and although this strategy isn't new, it makes you think that if the open grass park spaces are empty most of the year... than why don't more spaces like this occur in public areas of the city?!

2.  Shopping! - And YES I know that there is nothing Swedish about this.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a bit of a shopaholic.  That said, retail is an important factor in any city.  During a visit to Göteborg's Nordstan shopping centre located in the heart of the city, renovations were happening on some of the interior space, it was there were I found grounds to support my design concept... I found scaffolding and temporary retailers selling goods within the structure of the scaffold!!!

Section Model @ 1:100_Laser Cutter Extravaganza_DAY 1_Work in Progress