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!