meaning + space
May 13, 2010
At the Oskar Hansen symposium philosopher Bjørn Holgernes talked about Heidegger´s existencial philosophy and the growing threat of `meaninglessness´ in a fragmented society. In his elaboration on this he explained how life change in a constant, plastic manner. He stated that the biggest threat in our time is “selvfølgeliggjøring” – a state where all is taken for granted. From this he deduces that the absence of development, status quo = decay.
“Det er en formidabel forskjell å bli glad i kake og bli glad av kake” (Holgernes on decay)
Heidegger reasons that all forms of manmade `Kunst´ are attempts of bringing meaning to its existence (as e.g this text…). In “Bauen Whonen Denken (“Building Dwelling Thinking”, 1951) Heidegger states that to build is to bring meaning to a place. And Holgernes stresses that if our built environment contribute to a constitution of a greater contextual meaning, the creation of public space has a significant role for our social well-being.
Really? It seems so obvious. And simple – to avoid standstill! But visit any Norwegian small- or mid sized town and you will probably smell a scent of standstill or `meaninglessness´ here and there.
I have claimed that a sustainable city is a healthy city – one that prevents decay or standstill with inclusive activities and space. I still do. Architects and planners cannot ignore the responsibility and care for the public space. The so-called fragmentation of society is even more relevant to speak of today as in Heideggers.We live in a transitional time with impact from globalization, food crisis, climate crisis, economic crisis etc. If the development of public space is bound to renew itself (in a sustainable manner), how will the small towns of Norway look like in the future? Do we need to know? What would be a meaningful move?
- it´s all about energy!
April 30, 2010
…at least according to dr. Rod Burgess, the neo-marxist tutor in the subject of Globalization I had in Oxford last semester.
This film from the European Climate Foundation and AMO illustrate the relevance of energy in future planning. Turn off the sound and enjoy:
This wonderful map by AMO (OMA) show how the contonent is divided in different zones based on energy supply:
More info at the ROADMAP 2050 website.
Do we need a Norwegian Architecture Policy?
March 19, 2010
Last week I attended a seminar in Oslo arranged by NAL, discussing the need for a National policy of architecture. The seminar was a closed discussion between representatives from 11 state ministries and architecutere scholars. It questioned if - and possibly how – architects can contribute in making a more relevant and responsible practice. In my view there was little news (of course architects must become more relevant!), but some statements was worthwhile taking notice of:
Øystein Rø, MNAL, 0047: “When starting at the school of architecture, you enter a bubble. The bubble is constituted by certain criterias of success, which since are sustained by the professionals of architeture”
Prof. Knut Erik Dahl, AHO/Europan/Dahl&Uhre: “Norwegian architecture is trivial architecture (`tur-arkitektur´) – we need a new school of thought!”
Harald Røstvik, Røstvik/BAS: “Planners and architects must take responsibility in seeing the full context”
Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Snøhetta: “The environmental challenges require a new understanding of architecture: Form Follows Environment. In the transition to developing new cities we must take a closer look at the public space, so they can give meaning in a nordic scale”
Anne Grete Hestnes, NTNU: “The municipalities must set strict standards to quality!”
Franzisca Breyer, Stadt Freiburg: “There is not a lack of technologies if you want to make passive houses or plus-energy houses! But due to prejudices to passive houses, proper communication & local participation of communities is key to a succesful process”
Siv Helene Stangeland, Helen & Hard: “Sustainability is characterized by ecological concurrance. This is not associated with icons, but is more temporary”
All in all, a lot of inspiring input. But will the next generation follow?
More info and videos from the seminar here.
notes on Sustainability
March 16, 2010
After about a months work (!) on trying to define and deconstruct the concept `sustainability´, I have have arrived at this conclusion:
- SUSTAINABILITY is simply about maintaining a wholistic approach to whatever subject in question – about preserving the future in heart and mind. So, how has the intitial confusion on the subject come to dominate my perception? Is it years of schooling in specific (sectorialized) subjects? Or, are we living in a time where there is no natural wholistc connection to our surroundings?
The illustration of `wholeness´ has derived from Chris Butters´ “Sustainability Value Map”, which devides sustainability in the three categories of society, economy & ecology. Each of these categories are again sectorialized in different subcategories, which makes it possible to rate project achievement on specific premises:
Hacking `sustainability´
February 27, 2010
A 150 minute workshop with Deane Simpson on making infographichs.
Within a strictly limited period of time we were to take on the challenge of visualizing a phenomenon of interest. Since I am about to embarked on the mission of understanding the concept of sustainability, I thought a good place to start was by deconstructing it.
My infographic illustrates someone orientating themselves in a chaotic system, identifying various aspects of the same logic.
What I did not realize at the time, was how time-consuming work this is. So, I´ll leave you with the principal idea of my first infographic and replace the final result when I find a spare week to improve the illustration…
