SCANDINAVIAN BY DESIGN 2013
Perhaps more so than in any other region, the practice of design in Scandinavia is deeply embedded in the cultural identity of the place. Innovative design in Scandinavia is a highly valued part of daily life, persisting ingeniously in the most commonplace of conditions. Design is apparent in every facet of their culture—from print media to city planning. Our current digital era has propelled Scandinavian art and design into a complex stream of global images—yet it remains a model to emulate. Scandinavian design culture and practice is dedicated to design that can improve the quality of life both locally and globally and is based on the participatory (collaborative) design model. The participatory design model that asks that designers, architects, scientists, businesses, government and social institutions, collaborate and co-design with local and global communities to solve human need design problems. DESIGN IN A GLOBAL WORKPLACE
SCANDINAVIAN BY DESIGN 2013 Faculty Michelle Bauer Carpenter & Bryan Liester Students Stephanie Baker, David Bonilla, Ayla Bott, Shaun Burba, Catherine Charleston, Sarah Cunio, Stacy Esposito, Heather Fleischman, Brandon Gorthy, Alyssa Hamlet, Shannon Hickman, Derek Lawson, Jacob Mann, Edgar Rivera, Tyler Stark, Sarah Torp, Andrew Ulmer, Lauren Volentir, Erica Warfield & Ethan Zink We are grateful to all of the artists, designers, galleries, museums and firms in Denmark & Sweden that welcomed us. Thank you for opening your doors and our minds, sharing your expertise, professionalism and your passion for design. Danish Instutute for Study Abroad Danish Architecture Centre, Amagerbro for guided bike tour, Guide: Nicholas Ransome Museum of National History Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød Nordic Play Festival Carlsberg Brewery NY Carlsberg Glyptotek The Royal Danish Playhouse Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, Nicolai Sebastian Richter-Friis - Architect Knapnok Games, Dajana Dimovska, CEO & Producer DIS, Jacob Buksti Gehl Architects, Jeff Risom, Partner and Head of Gehl Institute, MSC iNudge You, Sille Krukow, Choice Architect Playtype Faux Opening Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark Metervara + Grongaard Opening Hvass & Hannibal, Nan Na Hvass, Multi-disciplinary artist Make, Morton Brudholm, Strategic director, Partner & Kristoffer Gudbrand, Creative director, Partner CIID - Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design, Alie Rose, Co-Founder & Head of International Relations Black Diamond- Royal Library Danish Architecture Art Exhibit Kunsthal Charlottenborg, MFA Exhibition - Visual Arts Thank You, Anders Frandsen & Örn Ólason, Co-founders Danish Film Institute, Simon Lovind Kronborg Slot Helsingør Kollor Designbyrå, Helsingborg, Sweden, Erik Tencer, Founder and Managing Director, Håkan Persson Founder and Web Developer & Eduardo Mateos, Designer Unity Workshop, Elizabeth Rankich & Thomas Peterson YOKE, Lars Jessen, Interaction Designer INDEX: Design to Improve Life, Sille Askefrø Bjørn, Education Director National Film School of Denmark, Gunner Wille, Head of the Animation & Computer Games Department ustwo, Toke Stub Barter, Design Director Massive, Martin Hultberg, Head of Communications and User Research
The Castle of the Sea King ALYSSA HAMLET
“Far out in the ocean, where the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower, and as clear as crystal in the deepest spot of all stands the castle of the Sea King. Its walls are built of coral. The roof is formed of shells that open and close as the water flows over them” – The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Anderson
The ocean has shaped my life in more ways than I can count, its presence appearing in random patterns throughout my life. From inspiring my career choice to separating my family, the ocean has always been there. All this being true it’s not surprising that when visiting Denmark that I was immediately drawn to the sea. I could hardly contain my excitement when our group visited the Kastrup Sea Bath. I withstood the frigid temperatures to soak up every second I could of just being in the ocean, enjoying the salty waters and rhythmic power that only a large body of water can possess. The Kastrup Sea Bath was not just a wonderful place to swim it was also a sight to behold. This giant wooden diving platform was built right off the shore and is attached to the beach by a deck. it was built in the shape of a conch shell and spiral upwards in height, creating higher diving platforms. The Baths’ unique shape reminded me of a castle and while brainstorming how to create this project I ran across a quote from The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson. This quote became the center piece of my project as it began to morph into a meditative and relaxing work complete with the sound of waves and moving clouds. When I had finally finished the piece had unintentionally became a physical interruption of how I think about the ocean. Relaxing, moving, and bringing things full circle.
GNARLY
BRO SUPER
EPIC GNARLY
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A N I N T E R P R E TAT I O N OF ARCHITECTURE IN COPENHAGEN
A N I N T E R P R E TAT I O N OF ARCHITECTURE IN COPENHAGEN
By Lauren Volentir Copenhagen is a playful city filled with a
By Lauren Volentir wondrous mix of both classical and modern
THE BLUE PLANET AQUARIUM
architecture. The buildings are both functional and interesting to look at. What I found most
This building was intended to look like surf
interesting were the different interpretations
waves and I believe they embodied that
that different people could pair with each
concept perfectly. The sheet metal texture of
Copenhagen is a playful city filled with a building. It is very similar to the experience of
the exterior reflects the ripples of the
lying in the grass with friends and looking for
surrounding water and creates a light similar
shapes in the clouds. Some might see a fluffy
to what may be seen from under water or on
wondrous mix of both classical and modern bunny when another may see a dragon. It was
the interior of the building. Since the water
fun to hear what others thought of the
that surrounds Denmark is shielded by other
buildings from a more technical and critical
adjacent landmass from the currents of the
THE BLUE PLANET AQUARIUM
architecture. The buildings are both functional point of view as well.
open ocean, there are no waves to surf in
Copenhagen. So naturally, all I could dream
For me, it was all about looking at my
about was surfing the wave-like entrance of
surroundings in Copenhagen as one giant
the aquarium.
and interesting to look at. What I found most grown-up playground. I do a lot of extreme
sports and often find myself looking at things
T H E M A R I T I M E P L AY H O U S E
interesting were the different interpretations in different ways where I envision myself interacting with the environment in
The Maritime Playhouse was constructed to
unintended, yet insanely fun ways. The
serve as a place for youth to play and interact
textures and materials used in the
with one another. You can walk all over the
construction of these buildings also influence
building and go inside of it. The building
how I personally interpreted them. The images
serves a double purpose for storage of sports
shown provide a little insight to my fairly
and play equipment as well. At first I thought
intense, thrill-seeking mind.
riding a bmx bike or a skateboard on the
that different people could pair with each building. It is very similar to the experience of lying in the grass with friends and looking for playhouse would be fun but then the brown
T H E R O YA L D A N I S H O P E R A H O U S E
color of the wood and the way the building is
This building was intended to look like surf waves and I believe they embodied that concept perfectly. The sheet metal texture of the exterior reflects the ripples of the surrounding water and creates a light similar
more convex instead of concave like a
shapes in the clouds. Some might see a fluffy This thing really looks like a huge diving
half-pipe I decided that riding a dirt bike over
board to me. I mean look at it; it is just
it and jumping off the bumps would be much
begging me to jump off the top into the calm
more fun. I don’t think the owners would
waters of the harbor. Some of the citizens feel
appreciate it very much though.
bunny when another may see a dragon. It was that too much money was spent on building
this opera house and even go so far as to call it
fun to hear what others thought of the a “monstrosity.” Maybe if they doubled its
purpose and let people jump off they would feel like they got their money worth…but
to what may be seen from under water or on the interior of the building. Since the water that surrounds Denmark is shielded by other
buildings from a more technical and critical
adjacent landmass from the currents of the
point of view as well.
open ocean, there are no waves to surf in
probably not.
Copenhagen. So naturally, all I could dream For me, it was all about looking at my
about was surfing the wave-like entrance of
surroundings in Copenhagen as one giant
the aquarium.
grown-up playground. I do a lot of extreme sports and often find myself looking at things
T H E M A R I T I M E P L AY H O U S E
in different ways where I envision myself interacting with the environment in
The Maritime Playhouse was constructed to
unintended, yet insanely fun ways. The
serve as a place for youth to play and interact
textures and materials used in the
with one another. You can walk all over the
construction of these buildings also influence
building and go inside of it. The building
how I personally interpreted them. The images
serves a double purpose for storage of sports
shown provide a little insight to my fairly
and play equipment as well. At first I thought
intense, thrill-seeking mind.
riding a bmx bike or a skateboard on the playhouse would be fun but then the brown
T H E R O YA L D A N I S H O P E R A H O U S E
color of the wood and the way the building is
KĂ˜BENHAVN XXVIII SHAUN BURBA – Copenhagen is such a unique place in the ways the people treat each other and understand one another. There is a deep level of respect and trust even in nearly complete strangers. I wanted to search deeper into the cultural ideals and archetypes; the communal thoughts, beliefs, and social systems, looking back as far as their beginnings and Viking ancestors to see where theses thoughts could have originated and why they are so drastically different from many old world systems. There is a genuine happiness and feeling of fulfillment in Danish culture. Many of them are not seeking to work long hours, be alone, and make a lot of money. They adhere to a more socialistic system, understanding that they must contribute to the whole to continue their enjoyed way of life. They do not compete with each other for greed and power. It is a healthy competition just to better themselves and those around them.
They want to be with their friends and families and enjoy the outdoors.They seek to use their time on this earth doing what they enjoy and what has true meaning. They believe more in the power of the community and working together in collaboration to make things better and are not as individualistic or ego driven in their mindset. At the same time they trust that everyone will share the responsibilities because it is more obvious to them that everyone has to work together to cause real change. These ideals are found much less in American culture. With these layers in the piece I wanted to represent a little more abstractly those beliefs and values to maybe inspire like thoughtfulness and action with more community driven respect and awareness and the power it has. Its amazing to see how drastic perceptions can change because of the whole history and layers of a place.
KobenhavN copenhagen
STreEt Art
S ometimes you don’t want to go to a museum and pay money to see art.
In Copenhagen you can practically walk down any street and you will be surrounded by outstanding art which you don't have to pay a penny to view. To some citizens of Copenhagen the walls are their canvas and a place to show their creative talents and self expression. From simple quick tags to extravagant masterpieces, Copenhagen has all the graffiti styles known to man and all with in the city limits. Some is crap, some will make you laugh, some make you think maybe even shed a tear but it is all STREET ART.
Jacob Mann
“There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.” BANKSY
I had a hard time picking a single place for this project, as I honestly loved this entire trip. So what I’ve done is create a few smaller projects, each with it’s own theme, and all with a memory playback feel. All images captured on Kodak 120 film run through a Mamiya C330 Medium Format Camera. Please note: all smudges, dust, and fingerprints visible on the film scans are intentional to help establish the memory playback aesthetic. Opera House/ Fountain Square: Kodak Tri-X 400, B&W film. The opera house was captured on a scavenger hunt of the city, and the fountain in the square was a meeting place for the group before an appointment. I loved the serenity of the opera-house positioned across the river from the hustle of the queen’s residence, as well as the contrast with the busy square full of life. Nyhavn/Castle: Kodak Portra 400, Color film (turned gray-scale). Nyhavn was almost a little intense with so much color and so many people. But it had some quiet corners (the courtyard). Another colorful place was the summer home of Christian the 4th pictured in the second strip. I chose to keep these images gray-scale to keep with the other pieces in the series, and to keep with the memory playback. (I tend to remember things in black and white.) Malmo/Helsingor: Kodak Tri-X 400, B&W film. Malmo was one of our last days in Europe, and I really enjoyed it. It had a much different feel than Copenhagen, but it was a vibe I enjoyed. Helsingor was interesting for me because it is the home of the castle Shakespeare placed Hamlet in. The coastline was also really interesting, with more rocks than sand, many of which were ground down to the perfect skip stones. But more than anything, the people I was with made the experience that much more important. So for me, the sense of a place wouldn’t be the same without them. AYLA BOTT
Broken Design RTD Light Rail Train Cars One of the most inspiring elements of the trip to Copenhagen was the daily commutes. Copenhagen is known worldwide as a tremendously bike-friendly city and though I had expectations about what exactly that meant, I could not have been more surprised and impressed with the infrastructure and its efficiency. As a daily bike commuter and light rail rider my frustration rises regularly with the lack of a system designed for bicycles. While Denver is heads-and-shoulders above most U.S. cities in terms of promoting bike riding, there are still downfalls to the current system. In particular the light rail/metro train car design. In copenhagen, each metro train was equipped with at least one bicycle/stroller specific car. These cars were designed so that bicyclists could easily walk their bike onto the train, securely park their bike on the car, take a seat and enjoy the ride. The design is simple, efficient and benefits all passengers not just bicyclists. The current car design of an RTD Light Rail train is about as far from the ideal as possible ‚ÄÏ there is no bike-specific area, let alone car, and one must climb a set of steep steps just to board the train. The simple modification of one car per train would alleviate this inconvenience and safety concern. Despite the hindrances of the current infrastructure, the trip to Copenhagen continually inspires me to use alternate modes of transportation and furthermore to propose design changes that help promote safe, efficient and enjoyable commuting. TYLER STARK
I chose to depict the Tivoli Gardens as my sense of place. The idea behind the paintings relates to the concept of transformation, which occurs when one enters a theme park. When I go to the Tivoli Gardens or any type of amusement park all of my outside stressors melt away and I become fixated on the present moment. I incorporated Mickey Mouse into the painting to connect the Tivoli Gardens to Walt Disney. Walt Disney’s visit to the Tivoli Gardens inspired such a profound transformation in the artist he created Disneyland as a result. I also picked an ice cream cone to represent the Tivoli Gardens because I believe it is the most recognizable symbol of summer fun, which is the essence of an amusement park. The best aspect of the painting is the texture and dripping effect of the ice cream because it engages the viewer and was also the most exciting part to create. CATHERINE CHARLESTON
My Sense of Place project is a tribute to that magnificent square, a home away from home, and to the message that it sends to all who walk through it. I want to represent the unity of nations in this special square, and the harmony they create when they are put together, as pieces of a whole. EDGAR RIVERA
What had become known as Copenhagen’s Red Square is much more than just a play area for adults that is painted red. What the place truly stands for goes much deeper than that. Behind just the looks of the area there is a rich cultural background belonging to over 50 different countries. The square is designed to bring all of these cultures together through imported or recreated artifacts representative of the countries they belong to. Benches from Cuba, Mexico, and Israel. Signs from Russia and the United States. Slides and play areas from Ukraine and Japan. All of these artifacts are successfully brought together as to make them seem as if they belonged together. Walking through the area made me feel like I belonged there even though I was across the see from home. Anyone can feel at home there, and that is the beauty of it all. No matter the conflicts that afflict the world and some of the nations that are being represented at the square, all is forgotten. We become just people enjoying each other’s company and what is beautiful about our own cultures.
“We Are the Spaces We Create” was inspired by a large message I saw on a building’s wall in Copenhagen. The saying itself was “The spaces we create are who we are”, and this was something that really resonated with me during the whole trip. Learning about Gehl architects and “Life Between Buildings” fascinated me in many ways. It is about understanding how design can help change the world for the better and paying close attention to who the design is for. In the photos I took of The TORVEHALLERNE I was initially trying to capture the fresh produce and the overall structure of the marketplace. Inevitably I ended up photographing a lot of the people who were there also, and rather than cropping them from the image or photoshopping them out I tried to embrace their presence. Who are these people, and why do they matter? I do not know their names, their ages, where they come from, or how they feel about their own life. Do they live comfortably? Are they loved? Are they happy? I have so many questions that I will never find the answers to, but from
the photos I can only hope to imagine the small details about them. Looking at the expressions on their faces or their actions in the photos, I decided to provide some text to sum up a small story of their life at the present moment. We have a man who looks like he doesn’t know what to say, a small child who isn’t able to walk but sits comfortably on her father’s shoulders, a couple who isn’t sure what produce looks the most appealing, and many others, all with unique stories. To be in the presence of all these people truly was a gift in itself. The beauty of travel is to be among people we will never see again, but to appreciate the impact they have on our own life. To view others is a way to understand our own selves, to appreciate the beauty of diversity and to know that we are never alone. We are seeking an unknown place that makes us feel unusually at home; a place that is not just created, but one where we create ourselves. SHANNON HICKMAN
The trip to Denmark was full of exploration and incredible places. Among all the excitement of new cultures I realized how unique the town of Christiania was. It was full of loving people and relaxation and this illustration encapsulates the essence of Christiania. Graffiti was certainly a huge component to the feeling of this town, which is why I felt the best way to embody such a place, would be with an illustration. With the drinks, the smoking, the overall free loving environment, these characters represent the care free lifestyle and the excitement of how these eccentric people live. ERICA WARFIELD
BY BRANDON GORTHY BRANDONGORTHY.COM
PROBLEM
SOLUTION
Denver has a very social and inclusive community, but the city’s infrastructure and grid street plan
Through an RTD ad campaign, encourage the use of public transportation by not only informing
hinder a safe and uniform social experience. The popular late-night social areas are far apart and
citizens of how easy it is to take RTD across downtown, but also by extending RTD bus and
over one-hundred people a day are arrested for driving impaired in Colorado.
light rail hours into the late-night hours of Fridays and Saturdays. In the end we can discourage drinking and driving and also mend a more inclusive and uniform social experience for the late-night Denver socialites.
Keops was the name of the dormitory where we lived during our study abroad program. The students in the dorm were from countries around the world. During our last week in Copenhagen, two of my close friends and I saw some other students dangling their legs off of the twelve story dormitory building. Once we figured out how to get up to the roof we spent every evening up there for the rest of the trip. We would eat strawberries, drink Carlsberg, and watch the sunset. We felt like we were on top of the world. DEREK LAWSON
dlawdesigns.net
When remembering travel memories, one commonly refers to the large occurrences during the trip, naturally. However, in my experience when reminiscing about my time in Denmark, I notice a pattern. I remember the most mundane things. The heat of the room at the crack of 7am, the Copenhagen train passing every 15 minutes about 25 feet from my room, the nights that never seemed to be silent, and others. Not that this is a bad thing, remembering such features about a trip causes one to remember the experience on a deeper level as if I was still there. DAVID BONILLA
Nyhavn, wish translates to “New Harbor” was developed in Copenhagen, Denmark y King Christian V in the later part of the 17th century (1670-1673). It was built to give access to Kongens Nytrov (King’s Square) to enable ships to bring in cargo to the city center and to allow fishermen to unload their fresh catch of the day. The charming and colorfully painted old homes that line the streets along both sides of the canal are what attract the many people to Nyhavn each day. During my 3-week stay in Copenhagen, I must have visited this area more than a dozen times. The quintessential European styled cafés and the energetic activity made a perfect spot to stroll and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Often I would grab a heavenly delicious, fresh waffle ice cream cone and sit along the edge of the docks to watch the tour boats go by and admire the old wooden sailboats that line the canal. Nyhavn is more than a must see attraction in Copenhagen, it is a place where one can get a taste of the European lifestyle of relaxed dining, fun entertainment and a lively atmosphere. STACY ESPOSITO
Wandering the days through a foreign country I found myself settled in a castle filled with history. Artistry radiates from all that the Frederiksborg Castle holds. Centuries of paintings cover the walls as furniture compliments each room. Celestial elements captured my attention and my heart. Globes that tracked the date and time were surrounded in astrological symbols and ceilings were painted with beautiful representations of the constellations. Within the castle I wished to remain for hours, on the grounds I wished to live forever. Beautifully cut bushes created twirling shapes as groomed trees marked the walkways. Nature may have been kept organized but none of the wilderness was lost. Birds flew through trees as bees pollenated the many flowers. Even in a tourist trap surrounded by other people I had found a place I could truly call my own. HEATHER FLEISCHMAN
This project is based on the “sense of place” I experienced at the Royal Danish Playhouse. While in Copenhagen I found myself exploring the city at night on a regular basis. The playhouse rests on the edge of one of the many canals running throughout Copenhagen, and become one of my favorite spots to visit. On one of these trips it occurred to me that the oldest known Scandinavian poetic writing was the Codex Regius (comparable to say the Greeks Iliad). I thought it would be appropriate to tell a small segment of this writing, in a motion graphic “playhouse” of my own based on Nordic culture/myth.
Edda Overview: “Odin, chief of the gods, always conscious of impending disaster calls on a certain “Volva,” or wise-woman, bidding her rise from the grave. She first tells him of the past, of the creation of the world, the world-ash Yggdrasil, and of the first war. As a further proof of her wisdom, she discloses some of Othin’s own secrets and the details of his search for knowledge. Rewarded by Odin for what she has thus far told, she then turns to the real prophesy, the disclosure of the final destruction of the gods. This final battle, in which fire and flood overwhelm heaven and earth as the gods fight with their enemies, is the great conclusion in Norse mythology. The wise-woman tells of the slaying of Baldr, best and fairest of the gods, through the wiles of Loki, and of the summons to battle on both sides, the mighty struggle.” ETHAN ZINK
I grew up in Orlando, FL with two large bodies of water about an hour away. The Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. I never realized how important the ocean was to me until I stepped onto the Baltic seashore in Denmark. As a child I would sit on the beach and feel the sun on my face, the sand between my toes and fingers, hear the ocean pound the shore in my ears and the smell the salt in the air. This was home, a safe haven for me to play as a child, to think about things as a teenager, and to feel and relax as a young adult. So it is only fitting that the Baltic Sea beckons to me as my Sense of Place. As I stepped on to the beach, in Denmark, memories rush in and I remember all the great times my family and friends had on the beaches around Orlando. With the heat on my face again, the wind bringing the salty air to me, my toes in the sand and the sound of the sea pounding against the shoreline I am home again. It is nostalgic‌ it is now‌ it is home. SARAH CUNIO
As children visiting and living on the seashores we would dig in the wet Sand and to build sand castles, where princesses would be saved several times a day by white knights or princes on their white horses.
The Sea is the antithesis of the wind. “The sea
surface is subject to waves caused by winds. Large-scale movement of seawater is caused also by the tide, the twice-daily rhythm of the gravitational pull exerted by the Moon, and to a lesser extent by the
sun, on the earth.� This reverberating motion comes up, embraces us, calms us and sends us on our merry way. This back and forth rhythmic sound of breaking seawater against the shoreline is the lullaby that lulls us to sleep. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea
Sun streaming down and touching your face, grass cool and soft under your hands. Water running in the background, the scent of flowers and all things that grow. These are things that hold a place in my heart, where they are I can find peace. I chose the Royal Library gardens for my sense of place. Here I find some of the things that I find the most comforting. Nature and books, these are blankets of comfort, that I can find anywhere. STEPHANIE BAKER
The Superkilen is a collection of three parks, known as Red Square, Black Market and Green Park, and is dedicated to celebrating the diversity of culture. It was a great undertaking, those involved in the project traveled to every corner of the world tracking down slides, neon signs, and park benches that came from the hometowns and countries of those living in residence at Denmark. Perhaps the most poignant expression of what the park meant was a sculpture within it. Guns and other weapons were bent and twisted and painted red to make up a giant heart, which was placed on a pedestal with the words “We want to live together� engraved in eleven different languages on each side of the piece. They dedicated a park to their immigrants, welcoming those that crossed their border and offering them memories of their homeland to ease the homesickness caused by leaving it. The beauty of that gesture struck a chord in me. I decided to create a piece that portrays that feeling of cordial friendship and hospitality that Superkilen evoked, highlighting a country from every continent involved in the project. SARAH TORP
SUPERKILEN We Want to Live Together
ANDREW ULMER