Inhabitat » ANY SCANDINAVIAN PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE?

July 10, 2006

ANY SCANDINAVIAN PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE?

Scandinavian design trip, Scandiland, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Inhabitat design trip

I mentioned my trip to the Netherlands a few weeks ago, but what I didn’t mention is that I will be embarking on a whirlwind tour of Scandinavia shortly afterwards. If Inhabitat has any Scandinavian readers (and according to the survey we have about 20!) - I would love to get tips from you guys on what to check out in terms if sustainable design and architecture in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and Copenhagen. I will only be in each of these places for a day or two, so please keep that in mind. What I’m mainly looking for is interesting buildings, designers and shops within the central area of the capital cities. Also, if you are a designer or shop owner, please get in touch if you want to meet up!

22 Responses to “ANY SCANDINAVIAN PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE?”

Greg Says:

July 10th, 2006 at 10:14 pm

me! me! I’m scandinavian. I’m from Switzerland!

uhm… sorry, that’s an old one. but I’m still astonished as to how many people confuse Sweden with Switzerland. I’ve been living in New York for 4 month now, and it’s happening all the time.

on a more helpful note…
I actually have a step-brother living in Oslo. He’s attending the Norwegian School of Management BI. I seem to remember something about them recently ending the rebuilding of their campus ( http://www.bi.no/templates/artikkel____37417.aspx ).

hope that helps.

Claus Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 7:03 am

Hi,

It is a shame that your trip only brings you to the capital cities; otherwise I will be glad to give you a tour of the exhibition centre Danfoss Universe.
We seek to combine science, learning, experience, play and technology within this science park, which in my opinion draws on similar ideology that drives this excellent blog.
Unfortunately for you - and your trip - we are located in the southern part of Denmark approx 4 hours from Copenhagen.

But if you are interested please let me know.

( http://www.danfossuniverse.com )

Marcus Landgren Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 8:53 am

A litte bit off topic.

I’m one of those 20 readers mentionend above, I live in Malmo, Sweden and can really recommend you to visit Malmö.
You should see Bo01 in Malmö where you can find Turning Torso and lots of fine architecture. All buildings are beautifully designed and together with the beach, the lightning and a nice sunset, it’s my favorite place to “chill out”. I promise you that it’s worth it ;)

Øystein Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 10:29 am

I’m from Norway. :-D

If you want to go and look at BI - take subway no. 5 to “Nydalen”. In Nydalen there are some new builings to look at. (Nydalen actually means “new valley”.But beware: It’s not much fancy housedesign to look at in Oslo (that I can think of)

You can check out the store “Norway Designs “- http://www.norwaydesigns.no/ they have some stuff from norwegian designers. They even might guide you to an exhibition og other norwegian design,

Come back in a couple of years when our new operahouse is finished, I think thats gonna look good.

Kristian Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 10:33 am

Welcome to Scandinavia. I am Norwegian and can perhaps give you some ideas on sustainable architecture on your Norway trip.

First of all, contact the people at Ecobox and ask them to guide you around. Ecobox is a project on sustainable design and architecture by the Norwegian Assoc. of Architects.
http://www.arkitektur.no/page/Miljo/Miljo_hovedmeny/8627/17428.html

In Oslo, check out:

Klosterenga ecoapartments, Nonnegata 17-21, 0656 Oslo
http://www.arkitektur.no/page/ECOark_prosjekter_detaljer_engelsk//10875/57484.html

Pilestredet Park, a large hospital area totally rebuild for green living.
http://www.arkitektur.no/page/ECOark_prosjekter_detaljer_engelsk//10875/57482.html

Grünerløkka studenthouse, an old grainsilo rebuilt to student apartments according to green principles. Situated in possibly the most interesting part of town.
http://www.arkitektur.no/page/ECOark_prosjekter_detaljer_engelsk//10875/57798.html

The whole waterfront area of Oslo is going to be rebuildt, take a trip to the Fjord city office
http://www.oslo.technopole.no/fjordcity/

this should be possible in a day or two…..and stay clear of the school of management, it is not exactly a hotbed of ecothinking!

Enjoy your trip!!

Jens Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 12:55 pm

go to sthlm and go to the modern museum and the architecture museum, currently has a good exhibition with Bruno Mattson. See the market at “street” at hornstull on söder on saturdays, designer stands and stuff.
visit the “designtorget” shop at the sergels square. Walk around and see the buildings on the islands that the city is built on. Söder has a alot of nice 2nd hand shops and cafes that are great. Walk by the water, look at all the boats, take a ferry out in the archipelago or just look at people.

Cazookie Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 1:17 pm

I’m from Stockholm, Sweden!

Erik Morset Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 1:22 pm

Here is a startingpoint: http://worldviewcities.org/oslo/main.html

Katerina Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 3:55 pm

In Copenhagen, visit the Danish Design Museum, in the central part of town. The surrounding area contains most of the shops and such of interest, although Norrebro is the more off-the-beaten path hip area. Also, on the street Norrebrogade, you will find the best Danish organic bakery of all time. Highly recommended. In the Latin Quarter, the Flying Fish is an awesome restuarant with vegan options.

Janet Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 4:32 pm

Do consult International Sustainable Solutions before you go. Patricia Chase hosts wildly successful sustainable design/development study tours to Scandinavia which have been, and continue to be, pivotal in stimulating cultural and political adoption of sustainable solutions.
http://www.i-sustain.com/
enjoy!

Courtney Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 4:47 pm

Have a look at Copenhagen X site for very good overview of DK arch + urban planning (new projects):
http://www.cphx.dk/template/cphxsite/

Also DAC has archi exhibitions + tours on year-round: http://www.dac.dk/visEmneside.asp?artikelID=1571

Out at Holmen (just 5 min bike ride from DAC) is Royal Academy School of Architecture students’’ Exit Project’ exhibition. 100 Final Year students exhibit. http://Www.karch.dk

There is huge Poul Kjærholm exhibition on a Louisiana art museum in CPH as well (The museum itself is well worth a 1/2day spent out there, at least).

Also, in terms museums (architecture), , you may want check out Zaha’s addition to Ordrupgaard, : http://www.danda.be/gallery/110

Booming new buildings also being erected in Ørestaden (a new dev. area of CPH); for example, check-out the new DR Multimedia complex: http://www.dr.dk/drbyen/english/. As well as the new blgd.s at CPH Univ. (KUA).
The excellent new metro will get you quickly/easily to all these sites. http://www.m.dk/

Also the new beach at Amager (http://www.amager-strand.dk ) –also out form Ørestaden– and the beach at Charlottenlund (where Arne Jacobsen architecture houses are sited) are not to be missed in this lovely summer weather.

Best design shop is Illums Bolighus in cntr city in Strøget (walking street). Be prepared to spend lots of time + money there. Georg Jensen, and other design shops all just down the ‘street’ from Illums as well. http://www.royalshopping.com/
The Paustain (furniture house) designed by Utzon is also a mecca for both mod. Scandinavian furniture + the arch itself.

All along the waterfront is many great, newer, projects as well: The harbor baths (plot architects), Gemini Silos (mvrdv), etc.

Just hop on a bike + you can easily see all in city centre. For Ørestaden projects you may want to take Metro if you not used to bicycling lots.

Enjoy! København er jo en dejlig by!

Courtney

Jukka Says:

July 11th, 2006 at 7:43 pm

Am Ithe only Finn around here? :D I actually currently live up north in Oulu, but Helsinki is my home town. When are you going to be down there? I wouldn’t mind showing and driving you around :D

Worth checking are the Arabia Museum, Viikki-area for new sustainable developments and of course all the Aalto in town.

Also you should ask them: Citysherpa.

Veronika Says:

July 12th, 2006 at 12:18 am

Hi! Too bad youre only visiting the large cities. In Trondheim( the third largest town in Norway), the university that I attend has a quite interesting campus with architecture that represent houses from neo-gothic period til scandinavian minimalism. The last one(scandinavian minimalism one) is, if I can say it my self, quite spectacular and beautifully organic (large) pice of architecture. Its called Gløshaugen and its definetly worth a trip(it also filled with interesting design inside-and some great art). Also I would like to say that both Trondheim and Bergen are nicer towns (thats indeed what they are-we dont have cities in Norway ;) than Oslo-specially in the architecture branch. Also check out “Norway says”- they design some great new-thinking, and functional, furniture- them you can find in oslo i belive.Go to norway before finland also- then you wont get so disappointed of this not so design-oriented country!!
Have a wonderful trip to scandinavia and I hope youll vist Trondheim one day!

Thorleifur Says:

July 12th, 2006 at 12:12 pm

Hi. Im Icelandic, but i´ve lived in Denmark for a couple of years. I just wanted to point out that if you are planning a little roadtrip around denmark to see something else than Copenhagen, I would strongly recommend you paying Aros museum a visit. Aros is in Aarhus, and it´s an architectureal delight (not to mention all the big exhibitions inside! Check out http://www.aros.dk
Also if you happen to travel by train from netherlands to copenhagen, you should make a quick pitstop at Trapholt museum in Kolding. Lot of nice designs and a former residence of Arne Jacobssen and his summerhouse is a part of the exhibition. See http://www.trapholt.dk.
You could also check out the Kolding Design skole, nice design school and definitly worth a visit….. http://deskol.dk/01_NYHEDER/?LANG=EN
But nothing spectacular comes to mind when I think of Copenhagen…. except for the classic tourist attractions.. The new opera house is probably worth a visit. Also check out the surrounding streets of ströget, main shopping street. Ströget is pretty mainstream but all the surrounding streets are packed with interesting design shops and etc.

Peter Says:

July 12th, 2006 at 12:15 pm

A must see in Copenhagen is Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (http://www.glyptoteket.dk/?language=en&frames=yes). The newly renovated museum contains fine art and is just across from the Danish Design Center (DDC.dk).

Check out Vesterbro near the central station, it’s a part of Copenhagen which has undergone quite a change in recent years. Also Nørrebro is an interesting part of town, with all the ethnic inputs.

At the moment it’s sunny here in Cph with temperatures around 80°F, enjoy your trip, and don’t be shy to ask for directions, most danes speaks english.

Peter

Carl Says:

July 13th, 2006 at 7:28 am

Hi,

I’m also from stockholm. the Swedish Museum of Architecture as mentioned above (http://www.arkitekturmuseet.se) is well worth a visit. It’s in the same building as Moderna Museet (http://www.modernamuseet.se). The admission is free!
You should also visit Swedese Showroom on Narvavägen 10 (http://www.swedese.se). And if you have time there are also some (in my opinoin) great furniture and home interior stores on Birger Jarlsgatan (www.norrgavel.se Birger Jarlsgatan 27, http://www.gad.se Birger Jarlsgatan 34, http://www.planett.se Birger Jarlsgatan 32).

Have fun!

Jill Says:

July 13th, 2006 at 8:47 pm

Wow! I am floored. Thank you SO MUCH for all of your great suggestions. I will try to see what I can. Like I said before - this is the first time I have ever been to Scandinavia, which is why I am doing the whirlwind capital tour and spending so little time in each city. I will definitely be back for a more extensive trip sometime in the future and will keep the more off-the-beaten track suggestions in mind for later. This is also really helpful for other design-loving tourists who might be headed to Scandinavia as well, so I really appreciate it.

Thanks again-
Jill

Lutfi Says:

July 14th, 2006 at 12:05 am

I read somewhere in Norway/Sweden there’s a school (primary or secondary) that looks like village hut in a way. very nicely done. Not sure where it is, so if someone here can point it out. Thanks

rubing Says:

July 15th, 2006 at 5:49 am

Hi!

Unfortunatly I live in Bergen. The town you shouldn’t miss. Here we have a alternative Architecture School. Where you aproach arcitecture in a different way with a lot of emphasis on sustainable building. In stockholm you shouuld check out the buildings of one of the most famous architects in sweden who thought about sustainability and energy usage in the fifties. His name is Ralph Erskine and he has built a villa and a big part of the university in Stockholm.

You can check him out here. http://www.erskine.se/e_intro.htm

Hope you have a nice time in Scandinavia and if you pass by Bergen I can give you a tour of the city and the school.

Zapico Says:

July 17th, 2006 at 8:15 am

Hi!
I’m one of those 20, reading inhabitat Sweden (to Greg, half of my friends still think that I’m in Switzerland..)
Well here are my tips,
as someone said before, go to Malmö, just a short train ride from Copenhagen, the Bo01 it’s worth it, nice environmental architecture. More info: http://www.ekostaden.com
also in Malmö, visit the Augustenborg Botanical Roof Garden. http://www.greenroof.se/
in stockholm you can visit the hammarby sjöstad area. Also a new residential area with green design. http://www.hammarbysjostad.se/
Copenhagen is very nice, take one of the free city bikes and explore it, if the weather is nice, the wood natural Kastrup Seawater Lido is worth a visit.
http://www.white.se/WebEngineSitePicturesWhite.nsf/(AllFiles)/Kastrup2_high/$File/Kastrup2_high.jpg?OpenElement
Enjoy your visit in Scandinavia!