Outings

I know it's been ages, but I have finally gotten around to posting again. In my defense, at least I have a good reason this time: We just finished our studio project yesterday! This past week has been atrocious, as the week before deadline usually is in the wonderful world of studio. Needless to say here I am finally, with pictures galore for you all. I've been quite busy with the excursions the past couple weeks, regardless of the necessity for studio focus. I've tried to force myself not to be so meticulous about school work here and make a better use of my time by soaking up as much culture and architecture as humanly possible. Our grades actually transfer pass/fail, which means as long as we pass it doesn't matter what we get, but it's still proven difficult not to care, especially with studio. Regardless I believe I have managed to maintain my adventure quota thus far and here's proof:

We had a day of field study out just outside of København. The trip was for my 20th/21st Century Danish Architecture class and focused on Danish housing since that is what we had been recently discussing in class and is such a strong component of architecture here. First we visited Galgebakken a complex of prefab units that are all connected to each other and allow easy modification and growth by moving walls not only in each unit but between them.
Here's a cute view down the street between the units. The architecture is pretty plain but apartently the architects goal was to simply create a framework for their lives and when it was filled with vegitation and and patio furniture, overgrown with life, his vision would be complete. He was really focused on a sense of community.
Here's inside one of the units: it's not very big really but Danes don't seem to need near as much room as us ostentatious americans and note the daylight, always taken advantage of.
Don't get too excited but this is the 7th, that's right 7th biggest rock in Denmark! haha It's just sitting in a field and they made a point to tell us.

We then headed to Bagsværd Kirke, a church I'd been longing to experience for some time. I was pretty pumped for this structure: it's another building by who else, Utzon. The interior is an extremely dynamic space created by this large swooping ceiling that was formed to create amazing acoustics and benefit from directing and enhancing daylight.
I was actually kinda annoyed after seeing the building at the disconnect from the interior to the exterior: such beautiful organic forms don't relate at all to the angular facade.
That's one nice set of pipes!
beautiful lighting: there were no artificial lights on while we were in the space
Amazing
Check this out: it's the choir loft which carries the sound throughout the church

Afterwards we went to Egebakken a dwelling complex for senior citizens, but this place was unlike any old folks place I'd ever seen. It was super modern and also extremely adaptable similar to the previous complex but constructed to allow any level of accessibility once the residents develop the need.
View into a precious little courtyard

Rediculously little cars are everywhere which everyone drives, even the more mature of citizens.

Lo-Skolen was next, a Conference and Trading Center for the Danish Trade Union. Now I know this doesn't sound too exciting but here in Denmark the unions are pretty powerful and they contribute greatly to culture and the arts. The whole place was filled with artwork incorporated into the building.
Growing out of the stairs
View of sculpture framed perfectly
Dynamic courtyard
I was obsessed with this sculpture!
Sculpture even growing out of the wall!

Our last stop was definitely not my favorite: Kingohusene another by Jørn Utzon. It was another housing complex focused on the layers of privacy, but the outermost layer is extremely closed off. I'm sure the overcast weather and drizzling didn't help with the dreary impression of the place, as well as the season and dead foliage all around. However, each unit only has limited opening and a stark solid enclosure that absolutely prevents any connection to the interior.

The Units themselves worked well and I liked the way the whole home was centered or focused on the courtyard, there were views from anywhere inside. It had a nice but extremely isolated coziness.
This is how excited we are that the day is almost over. (not that we didn't enjoy it, but it was pretty exhausting, enhanced by the cold and dampness)
Several of the units had nice views out to the pond from their courtyards.
So that is the end of our field study but of coarse we were still out and about for the next class checking out more architecture around København.
Copenhagen Business School
Fun bubbly skylights.
View below onto the seating landscaped in the lobby.
Incredible glass elevator looks like it belongs on a spaceship.

Sara and I joined other DIS students on a visit to the København Zoo! I think we had a little too much fun, acting like a bunch of animals ourselves. :)My imitation of a flamingo, pretty good right?
These guys were great, true entertainers: they kept chasing each other and jumping in the water, splashing the crowd.
Norman Foster Elephant House. I'd heard a lot about if but honestly was more impressed with the building they had the hippos in.
The Eifel Tower! at the Zoo that is...

Next up Sara and I took a trip out to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art which is located about 30 min from the city center.
The original structure was a residence and the rest of the museum has been added on in stages. It seems to grow out of the ground, one of the wings is actually located completely beneath the earth.
Art incorporated into the structure
We love art, it's true!

So I know this post was dwindling with text but I've been trying to get this finished before I leave bright and early tomorrow morning for spring break. Now don't be fooled this is no ordinary spring break. It last for three weeks and includes visits to Germany, the Netherlands, Italy (Rome, Orvieto, Florence, Milan) and Czech Republic.... it'll be quite awhile but lookout for the next post it'll be a doozy!

Design is design is design is design....

Soooooo last week we got a chance to check out several exhibitions at the Kunstindustrimuseet (aka Danish Museum of Art and Design) We were divided into groups and each assigned an exhibition to analyze and then present our investigation of the collection to the class. It was all about giving us a chance to evaluate an existing design and hopefully helping us better understand certain components of the designs that had substantial impact on the experience, and make us aware of details we need to consider in our own spaces. Of coarse they had tons of furniture, so I was practically delirious, but afterward Matt and I were craving our workshop back home. As odd as that sounds, with so much great design around us, entering inspiration overload we both realized how much we miss probably our favorite part of our Interior Architecture curriculum.
Chairs, chairs and more chairs: I love it!
Original Eames Lounge... drool (I know I'm ridiculous)
Check out this one: it looks like poo hehe.
Saturday Sara and I decided to take a little day trip to Sweden, no big deal :) But really, while it may have been a huge deal to me, it's not that monumentous of an occasion over here. It only took like half an hour train ride from Central Station. We went to Malmo which is just across the bridge/tunnel from København, and spent the day site seeing and shopping mostly, oh and of coarse our favorite past-time eating.
We (esspecially Sara) couldn't contain our excitement, this was pre-departure.
Adorable lighthouse in the harbour
Good thing I was there to hold up the Turning Torso that day whew! what a workout
We found the best playgound ever...
and couldn't help ourselves :)
From the base of the Turning Torso
Then we found time to lead a parade down the walking street
It was a beautiful site at the Central Station in Malmo before we headed home after a long day.

Our existing routine prevailed yesterday and after our history teacher lectured for a couple hours, we were off to check out one of the buildings she discussed in class. We have been talking about Danish housing recently and so we went to see Tropedohallen which is a more modern building with a heavily industrialized approach. The building sits right on the water and actually has it running though the structure.
It was an interesting complex but we were all a bit turned off but such cold, stark materials. It wasn't very inviting and definitely not as they call it hygge (cozy). I'm sure it didn't help that it had been raining all day either, emphasizing the dreariness.
While walking back to the bus stop a few of us detoured around another residential complex next to the original destination. Many similar danish units are focused on this ideal of community within. They tend to hardly ever close their blinds and it was easy to view into the core rooms of the dwellings. While observing the variety of decor from one unit to another, we began discussing our interpretation of the general Danish attitude towards design and of coarse comparing our observations with new theories about American standards. Danes have such an appreciation for design: big and small, old and new, detailed and simple... American design is so monumental, always striving to make a statement: which I don't see as unacceptable, but I disapprove the fact that seems to to be an isolated goal. Design is not only about buildings here, they take the effort to thoroughly execute every detail from the landscape, city layout, furniture, cutlery, textiles, etc. etc. etc. If only my beloved IA professors could hear me now :) They've always drilled into our skulls the philosophy: Design is design is design is design, which very basically means that if you understand fundamental principles of design you should be able to design anything (conceptually) and all design is essentially connected in that way. I suppose this is what makes me really appreciate all the seemingly simple details of a space and how much care and effort they put into every detail of spaces here. Danish design also has a strong focus on craftsmanship, as opposed to back home where they strive to make as many as they can for as cheap as possible. They take pride in everything they build here and they believe that everyone has a right to experience good design, something which improves the general quality of life. What a wonderful standard to live by. So I think it's time for me to jump off the soap box for now, but don't worry, this whole trip has given me a whole new philosophical approach to many aspects of my life, but I'll save the rest for another day. And beware, tomorrow we are going on a field study all day so I am anticipating pictures galore next time I post!

A day in the life...

So I know it's been awhile, I keep putting off updating and then the task just becomes more and more daunting.... So here goes. Since my wonderful trip to Western Denmark I've had several nice outings around København- Jeepers it's already two weeks since we've returned! Time is flying which makes me nervous, I know my trip will be over much sooner than I desire. The week after our study tour Sara's host family was on holiday in Austria so they invited me to stay with her so she wouldn't get too lonely :) Of coarse I obliged. We had a great week, just hanging out, eating way too much junk food, and finally got our tickets all booked for our spring break travels. I really had a wonderful time staying with her- although my kollegium is fine it's just definitely not as homey as it was staying there and I suppose the familiar company didn't hurt either. Here's a pic of their posh living room with a giant piece of contemporary art by some Danish artist. I found it pretty amusing, it basically makes fun of every other country around the world. Although the weather was pretty rough that week we did manage to go on a few excursions. One day before class we ventured out to find a furniture gallery which was over by the shipping docks. Rough looking place with just large warehouses all around, but it was pretty neat to see the wind farm out in the water through the fog.

Here's Sara with an awesome light fixture
The next week started off with a few little field trips for our digital design class. We were on a mission for photographs and our first stop was the Round Tower. Here's the church connected to the tower which is actually right below the gallery space that is the site for our studio project. We are designing an Exhibition for Scandinavian design, anything and everything deigned by Scandinavians. There's actually over 200 pieces in the exhibit but we have a lot of freedom with the project and are allowed to pick and choose which ones we want to focus on. So far it's actually been pretty neat, not exactly like anything else we've done before.
Here's part of the ramp that winds up and up and up the tower.
From the top: it does actually snow here. Believe it or not we got quite a bit this past week.
Trecking though the snow :) I get back to DIS ready to warm up a little during my next lecture and we're off on another little field trip. They sure do like those around here, but of coarse I'm not complaining. Ok well I was that day just cause of the yucky weather but I survived alright.
Here's a dormatory... yea I wish I lived here too.
Matty and I out in the tundraSo studio on Tuesday they took us on another field trip hahaha This time to an Exhibition all about restoration. They had people there actually working on pieces with lots of old artifacts displayed. It was sort of interactive, they had stuff to experiment with and you could discuss with the workers about the process. It was dark in the room so it was difficult to see but this pic's for Gma Gould: they had this giant old pump organ you would have loved. :)
This past weekend the Danes all celebrated Fastelavn: I believe the holiday originally stems from the pre-Lenten celebrations but since the reformation and conversion of most of Denmark it has become less specifically religious. It is often thought of as the Danish Halloween; children dress up in costumes and they have an old tradition where they used to string up a barrel with a cat inside and hit it like a pinata (this used to be a superstitious ritual to ward off evil) but now they just fill the barrel with candy. Sadly we missed the barrel whacking but we did get to see a bunch of drunk Danes riding down the street singing the hokey poky in Danish.
Beautiful ponys. Sunday I was on a mission to find more photographs for my digital design project. It turned out to be such a beautiful day that I ended up wandering all over København. Many places I've already visited but had lost the pictures with my previous camera mishaps, but it was nice to revisit them and find new places to explore. I enjoyed just strolling around by myself, it really gave me a chance to quietly observe and absorb everything around me. My appreciation of this place just grows and grows as time passes. As ridiculous as it sounds, I almost feel like I'm in a constant state of euphoria. Everything here is just incredible!
Christiansborg Palace Chapel with silly bikers in my way.
Next door is Christiansborg Palace now home of the Danish Parliament Folketinget
Royal Danish Theater at one of, if not the main square Kongens Nytorv which is right next to the picturesque harbor Nyhavn.
My attempt at a self portrait at Nyhavn. As you can see it may have been relatively pleasant weather, but it was still very windy.
Frederiks Church in axis with the palace
The Amalienborg Palace where the royal family resides.
The new Opera House by Larsen. I don't think it's anything too spectacular, but I'll hopefully get a closer look sometime soon and I'll let you know what I think afterwards. There was controversy involved throughout the design process, the designer and beneficiaries didn't quite see eye to eye, I don't think anybody was completely satisfied with the results. The project ended up costing over 500 million usd!

The Royal Danish Library's new addition, the Black Diamond
So I thought maybe ya'll would like to experience some of the places I frequent. Here's the metro stop at Nørreport, it's one of the largest in København: metro, buses, and trains all converge here. If you look real close you can see all the bikes, there's piles and piles of them.
National Cathedral of Denmark I pass by on my way to class everyday.
The University of København right across the courtyard.
Here's the square at the end of the block my classes are on. Right in the middle of Midieval København, could I have asked for a bettter location? Alrighty, well that's all for now. Hope you enjoy!