THE INTERCONNECTED NATURE BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE AND OUR LANDSCAPE A PHOTOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION INTO NORDIC ARCHITECTURE’S INFLUENCES BY NATURE, ITS PROCESSES AND PHENOMENONS
MSMR TRAVEL AWARD WINNER 2020, LILY KUIK
ABOUT ME
Lily is a graduate of Sheffield School of Architecture class of 2020. She graduated with first class honours, is the recipient of the msmr architects travel award as well as winner of faculty wide design competition for the UoS School of Computer Science Innovation Hub. As an avid traveller interested in how culture, landscape and natural phenomenons shape our communities, she enjoys immersing in unique less-known travel spots and experiences. Having travelled to Arctic Norway as part of an expedition to study the annual Orca migration up north in the winter of 2018, sparked an interest in investigating the quaint fishing villages in the area.
INTRODUCTION
As a recipient for the 2020 MSMR Travel Award, I was given the great opportunity to travel to Norway to investigate Nordic Architecture and its influence from the natural landscape. An eventful 14 day trip from Oslo; Capital City, to the Lofoten Islands; an archipelago situated in the arctic circle. The trip has given me great insight into how the natural environment shapes architecture and the community that inhabits it. In the example of the Lofoten Islands, the gulf stream phenomenon brings rich nutrients annually into the Norwegian Sea that in turn provides an ideal environment for codfish to thrive. With that, a legendary fishing economy was built and entire villages of rorbu houses were designed to accommodate the needs of the fishermen. Visiting and understanding the history of the islands and rorbu houses was immensely useful in gaining a wider perspective on Norwegian and Scandinavian architectural designs. Today’s modern Scandinavian design was born out of the need for better indoor lighting conditions, impacted by the short winter daylight. With this practical application that embraces light tones, openplan spaces and inspiration from nature created a warmer approach to modernism that appeals to many. I leave Norway with greater respect and interests in how architecture’s response to natural phenomenons and community practical needs can impact an entire regions design ideology.
BRICK CLADDED MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL
OSLO CITY CENTER
OSLO CITY HALL OFFICE BUILDING
OSLO OPERA HOUSE SNØHETTA
The barcode project : a masterplan project by MVRDV that has transformed the area of Bjørvika and the Oslo fjord. With the project realized by SJ arkitekta, Snøhetta, MAD arkitekter and Lund Hagem, an innovative masterplan has successfully regenerated a previously underutilized area of Oslo as well as showcasing 21st century architecture sitting on the border of a city and a fjord
DNB NOR - MVRDV MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL
Astrup Fearnley Museet / Renzo Piano Building Workshop - situated around the tip of Aker Brygge, the schemes iconic curved glass roof mimics the sailboats in the harbor. Timber and frosted glass panels on the interior museum space creates a warm soft ambience and the split mass opens up views onto the harbor.
Aker Brygge; active waterfront development with locals enjoying the (rare) warm and sunny day out. Historically a hub for Norway’s ship-building, naval and oil industry, it is now redeveloped into a mixed-use waterfront complex. The urban design embraces the site’s history, creating a strong sense of place within the dry docks.
AKER BRYGGE DRY DOCKS
OSLO FJORD
Bodø Town Hall / Atelier Lorentzen Langkilde. Bodø, Norway is situated on a peninsula north of the polar circle. The city is bounded by mountains and the harsh Norwegian Sea. Daylight lasted 20 hours whilst we were here, the angled facade is designed to capture the unique lighting conditions of the polar north. I was disappointed it wasn’t open to the public as the wooden light filled atrium interior would have been fantastic to see.
The fishing village of Reine. Located in the island of Moskenesøya, it served as a trading post since 1743. A historic center for the local fishing industry, it is now the most beautiful village in Norway. The Rorbu houses beautifully maintained, house antique shops, fish themed cafes and little museums.
In the Lofotens, Cod is king. Every winter, schools of the fish travel 500 miles south from the Barents Sea to the archipelago’s relatively warm waters to spawn in massive shoals. This is credited to the islands unique geographical position, benefiting from the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. After the long journey, their meat is lean, and highly prized. These fish are then hung on purpose built fish racks called Hjell. These structures that dot the island represents centuries of tradition dating back to the Vikings. I’m in awe of how a natural phenomenon created such a diverse ecosystem that in turn supported entire communities.
The prevalance of integrated green roof to seamlessly connect with the striking landscape contrasting with the brightly coloured pitched roof houses. In the foreground, empty Hjell stand ready for the winter fishing season.
Stayed in one of these lovely fisherman cabins for the night! Dating back to early 1100s, These Rorbu cabins are historically born out of the need for accommodation for fisherman around the regions that travelled to the lofotens to participate in its winter fishing. Geographically protected from strong ocean waves and currents within a fjord
The red, wooden, Dragestil (dragon style) church was built in a long church style in 1905 by the architect Karl Norum. Elaborately carved wooden churches were once present in many parts of northwest Europe. Today, they are almost exclusively found in Norway. The churches’ wooden doors and finials are beautifully carved. The decorations feature an intriguing combination of Christian motifs and what is often assumed to be pre-Christian Viking themes with animals and dragons.
BUKNES STAVE CHURCH - GRAVDAL
END Thank you to MSMR Architects and Sheffield School of Architecture for this amazing opportunity.
All Images Original & Photographed by Lily Kuik 2020