Slow architecture

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Slow Architecture is building a building slowly and gradually

as opposed to building it all at once.The resulting building

usually is far more cost efficient than that of a traditional

building.Governments and companies can use this building

method to cut down on costs.

The term Slow Architecture is also used in a broader context,

not limited to one building.'The use of the characteristics of

the existing will maintain a strong bond between a building,

its environment and society. The present environment is the

result of a string of aspects that

together keep the process alive of which the present is the result.

The use of the context will make it possible to maintain local

traditions in building and create unique images. Not to preserve

history, but to give new developments a place in a continuous

proceeding process.'

Centre and Sites

Scenario making

Me and my group-buddy Anette made a quick task for our selves today. Two hours to make a reflection on our scenario.

...going through my process in my mind....

(normally I don´t like to leave long writing posts, but today has been about clearing my head)

Energy...

The new energy within people, the will to take matters into their own hands. Energy as a natural force, the landscape and climate conditions that bring over-abundance of flowing water and steam that keeps the society going.

Nature...

What nature gives us and what it takes away. Such harsh and beautiful nature, so cold and windy, so rugget and wet. A volcano taking control of the whole world.

Unemployment...

So many idle hands that could be given the opportunity to start something on their own or participate in building their surroundings.

Scale...

How do you define a new building in your neighborhood that is 10 times higher than your house, took away some hours of sun and blocks the mountain view you had. Can you accept it, feel a part of it...

Green...

What is green in Iceland? A crooked birch branch on a hillside, the green moss meeting the pitch black sand.... "Green" spaces...A little lee from the northern winds outside a café or behind a house... a spot to play football...the wonderful vegetables and fruits from the green houses....a little potato patch.

Space...

All the space the car occupies, all the new open space, redefinition of space.

Knitting...

The power to pick up the knitting pins and put clothes on your family´s back, merchandise in your little shop, discuss the situation, swop recipies, let your mind flow...something so local yet very international, global.

Democracy...

Redefining democracy. The power back to the public. The will to influence your own future, participation.

The leavers...

Why do they leave, feeling of hoplessness, anger, discrimination, hundreds of applicants for one job.

Creaters...

The music scene, artists, architects, colouring the society.

Time...

Learning to linger... appreciate...adapt. The relevance of the now and the later.

The financial city becoming the city of hotels....

The main thought of planning the city-center of Reykjavík in 2002 was "densification". The densification plan 2002-2024 became a formal goal within the planning commitee and became main focus for the formal area plan. In the end of 2008 it wasn´t controlled by the city anymore but by private investors who with help from the banks were controlling the whole planning scene, building pretty much whatever they wanted. The ideas of the planning comittee of preservation of older buildings and new projects were the basis to work with but instead of enforcing stronger building regulations, the situation got out of control. What now is left is not a denser city at all but huge gaps left when older housing was torn down to make way for the new. And the new that stands ready, mostly empty and was builtmostly with great resistance from nearby residents that formed organisations to stop rising of high rise in the midst of their neighborhood. So they stand left with an unwanted guest.

What´s happening now is that these buildings and plots stand and wait. Some have or wait for their contractors/investors to go bankrupt and some wait for projects to be pressed through to keep the wheels going.

Suggested use for empty houses are mainly to make them into hotels even though there is not a shortage of accomodation in the city. I called the Icelandic tourist board for information on accomodation. There are various guest houses and hotels and it is only during high season or special events that guesthouses are fully booked and then there are normally empty rooms at the better hotels.

It´s very important to think further than just hotels and that the city plan is revised in accordance to the new situation. What can be done right away, what various programs can fill these empty buildings and plots that benefit their surroundings. They can´t all be filled with hotels....

How can these spaces become meaningful again and how can the people around get a connection to them?

Inspiration

Thanks V.

Walk_a_map

Architecture as a protagonizer....

I´ve just got back home and am sorting out my travel stuff. So I haven´t been posting here for some days. But now I´m backkkkkk and stuff will start to pop up again :)

I was working with my 10 sites in Reykjavík and I sadly realized I can´t fix them all since I´m just one student with one diploma. But I non-the less realized that each site has a potential to become something else than what it is today.

Most if not all of the sites have been brutally cut with their past function and use leaving them unfamiliar to the city and it´s inhabitants. They need a new purpose in life.....

a jump start.

Site 4 minimovie

Site 10 minimovie

Rúntur...

Rúntur in Icelandic means basically to drive about. In a city with around 650 cars pr. 1000 inhabitants (other capitals in Scandinavia with around 200-350) a big part of the culture becomes the car and the car ride. There is no train or tram-system to get you about so you either use your feet, bike, bus or car.

I want to invite you an a rúnt down Laugavegur, which is the main shopping street in Reykjavík attracting tourists and people with a diversity of small shops, 2nd hand, design, tourist shops, restaurants.....

This rúntur is probably the most popular one in the city. You buy an Icecream=Ísrúntur (whatever time of the year) and go on a rúnt with some good people, or alone for that matter.

It´s a part of the everyday activity on a Reykjavík street whether you like all the cars or not.

I had posted one rúntur before but that was early in the morning and kind of constructed I felt. I suddenly found myself on a real "rúntur" with a good friend of mine after we had been out eating indian food. Luckily I had my camera. We were in a good mood, bellys full and lots of people out on a wednesday night at 10 in the evening. There was a holiday the day after.

Enjoy the "rúntur" for a couple of minutes.

Icelandic tourism

Knit a tank

Knit this.....

10 sites

A preliminary map of my 10 sites in Reykjavík city centre.