SUPERKILEN PARK ANNA YU (20577728) PLAN 210 - STUDIO 102 October 14, 2015 KAREN HAMMOND
PROJECT OVERVIEW PROJECT: Urban Revitalization Superkilen Copenhagen (Denmark) 1 DESIGNER: BIG Architects – Bjarke Ingels Group 1 PARTNERS: Topotek 1 (Landscape architecture studio) & Superflex (architect collective) 1 CLIENT: Realdania and the Community of Copenhagen 1 PLANNING: Began in 2007 1 OPENING DAY: June 2012 1
SIZE/DIMENSION: - 300,000 sq m 1 - 750 metres long 7
LOCATION: Superkilen Park is located in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, Denmark.7 Just north of the bustling city center. Map of Superkilen Park.1
Superkilen is a heterogenous public park with an intriguing concept that is conceived as a giant exhibition of objects from all over the globe. Objects, which are selected by the 60 different nationalities of the inhabitants of the area.1 The park is divided into 3 colour-coded zones with its own designated theme, The Red Square, The Black Market, and The Green Park.1 The different surfaces and colours are designed to integrate with the surrounding objects to create dynamic visuals. The newly designed public space accommodates people of all ages, interests, and a range of activities, from chess to active sports.1
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THE RED SQUARE
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he first section of the park is The Red Square, which covers a wide public walkway with angular vibrant red, orange and pink shapes. All objects placed in this section follow the red color scheme, even the walls, pathways, and vegetation.8 The designer selectively chose maple trees and cherry blossom trees to match the colour scheme.1 The Red Square is an extension of the sports and cultural activities at the Norrebrohall.1 When entered through Norrebrograde the square is an open place for local residents to gather and play sports.4 The central square is built upon an existing hockey field but is now a multipurpose space used for ballgames, parades, markets, and even skating in the winters.1 The square is a great urban marketplace setting, attracting visitors every weekend from Copenhagen and the suburbs.1 Public art in the Red Square.3
Other purposes include a cafĂŠ in the east, and a basketball court, outdoor fitness area, and parking space in the north.1 The Red Square is bounded by a street in each end, with buildings and fences along the sides. Overview of the Red Square.1
Other features include: Thai boxing, playground slide from Chernobly, swing chairs from Baghdad, Indian climbing playground, a stencil of Salvador Allende, Brazilian benches, classic UK litter bins, bike stand, and neon lights from Moscow.1
Red bike racks.2
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Swings from Baghadad.7
Boxing ring in the central square.1
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T H E BLACK M A R K E T T
Many locals meet around the Moroccan fountain, the Turkish bench, and under the Japanese cherry-trees.3 On the weekdays permanent tables, benches and grill facilities are available for backgammon, chess players and others.1
he Black Square is known as the “urban living room,” because is this where the locals meet.8 The surface pattern is composed of black asphalt with white lines that curve around the furniture and objects within the park. In the centre lies a black octopus, commonly viewed as a playground for children.1
Sunset view of the Black Market’s iconic dentist neon sign.6
Aerial view of the black octopus.3 Aerial view of chinese palm.3
Aerial view of chinese palm tree.6
Star shaped fountain.3
Objects from around the globe include: Brazilian bar chairs under the Chinese palm trees, Argentinean BBQ’s, Belgian benches around the cherry trees, UV (black light) light highlighting all white from the American shower lamp, Norwegian bike rack with a pump, and Liberian cedar trees.1
Resting area with cedar trees.5
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THE GREEN PARK W
ith its undulating hills and spaces, The Green Park is most popular for picnics, sunbathing, and sports.1 It attracts children, young people and families. The purpose of this site was in response to the local inhabitants asking for more green space.1 Therefore, the park is completely green, even the bike and pedestrian paths. In addition, it is the largest out of the 3 sections.7 The long stretched park houses a number of different sport fields and courts. You can even find basketball court integrated with a hockey field6. The bike lanes which run through Red Square and the Black Market, no doubt continues through the Green Park.7
Public Space in Green Park.3
Image shows the proporitions of GreenPark compared to the other section.8
The park is welcomes with a big rotating neon sign from USA, a big Italian chandelier and a black Osborne Bull from Costa del Sol.1 There are Armenian picnic tables next to Mjolnerparken with South African BBQ’s, a volcano shaped sports arena for basketball and football, a line dance pavilion from Texas, muscle beach from LA with a high swing from Kabul, Spanish ping pong tables and a pavilion for the kids to hang out in.1
Abstract art piece. 1
Aeriel view of Green Park. 8
On top of the hill to the south, the Green Park is transforming into Mimers Plads. On the top you can almost overlook the entire Superkilen Park.1
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A N A LY S I S What makes this site successful? The reason behind Superkilen Park’s success comes from the process of community involvement, integrating more than 60 different cultures within the neighbourhood. It is a project for the people, by the people. A diverse park radianting in colour, and objects/furniture that are selectively picked from different countries around the globe. Not only does the site represent diversity and multiculturalism but the use of activities was created in response to the local’s demands and needs. Such as creating a more efficient transportation network with bikes, and accommodating leisure activities that is suitable for anyone. What ideas or features would not be reasonably transferable to a small park in Northdale (Due to scale, location ,context, etc) and why?
What ideas or features of this precedent project could be reasonably transferred to a small park in Northdale, why?
The idea of having three separate zones with three different themes is not reasonably transferable since the park in Northdale will be much smaller. A small park in Northdale may only thrive if it has one specific purpose such as either for locals to gather or to hold recreational activities. Another feature that cannot be transferred are the different selection of trees and vegetation that were placed in Superkilen. Northdale is located in Canada, a region known for its cold climate and therefore the selection of vegetation and tree are very limited.
The visual aspects from Superkilen Park can be reasonably transferred because it will enhence the sense of place by adding pops of colour. Therefore, drawing more attention and people into the space. Many other features such as importing objects and furniture to the park from other countries will surely make the park more culturally unique and connected.
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M A N I P U L AT I O N
M A N I P U L AT I O N BEFORE PHOTOGRAPH
Photograph of a section in TheRed Square.1
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M A N I P U L AT I O N
M A N I P U L AT I O N AFTER:
To enhance this public place, maple trees were added to complement the red colour scheme of the Red Square. Along with 2 pots of light coloured flowers are placed in between the red benches to create a more harmonious and calm atmosphere. A stone walkway was added to create structure within the park. A bike lane was also added next to the walkway. People and pets were included to show the perspective and sczale of the photo and to showcase how each object can be utilized. The black lamps were also an addition to enhance the overall aesthetics.
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CITATION ArchDaily (2012). Superkilen / Topotek 1 + BIG Architects + Super flex. Retrieved from http://www.archdaily.com/286223/superkilen-to potek-1-big-architects-superflex (1)
End Notes:
ArchDaily. (2012) Ciuffi, V. (n.d) 3 Ciuffi, V. (n.d) The Parks of Parks: Copenhagen’s Superkilen. Retrieved Denmark. (n.d) from http://www.architonic.com/ntsht/the-park-of-parks-copenhagen- 4Eriksen, L. (2014) 5 s-superkilen/7000731(2) Frearson, A. (2012) 6 Landezine. (2015) 7 Denmark (n.d). Superkilen Celebrates Diversity In Copenhagen. Retrieved Neil, B. (2015) 8 from http://denmark.dk/en/lifestyle/architecture/superkilen-cele Superlex. (2011) brates-diversity-in-copenhagen/ (3) 1 2
Eriksen, L. (2014, October 6). Superkilen: Welcome to Europe’s strangest public park. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from https://global-facti va-com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/ha/default.aspx#./!?&_suid=1444792 855102009020155039615929 (4) Frearson, A. (2012) Superkilen by BIG, Topotek1 and Superflex. Dezeen Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/24/ superkilen-park-by-big-topotek1-and-superflex/ (5) Landezine (2013). Superkilen – BIG Bjarke Ingels Group, Super flex, Topotek1. Retrieved from http://www.landezine.com/index. php/2013/02/urban-revitalization-superkilen-by-topotek1-big-super flex/ (6) Neil, B. (2015). Superkilen – The Copenhagen park made up of 108 objects from 60 different nations. Retrieved from http://www.backpacksand bunkbeds.co.uk/denmark/superkilen-park-copenhagen/ (7) Superlex (2011). Tools/Superkilen. Retrieved from http://www.superflex.net/ tools/superkilen/image (8)
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