It is no secret that Norway has a very artful approach to design and architecture. They are able to nod both to the past and to the future, whilst tying into Norway’s surroundings. No matter where you may find yourself in the country, whether remote or urban, there is beautiful design to take in everywhere.
Norwegian architects also experience many successes in their craft. Notably, a pair of Norwegian architects who are professors at Norway’s University for Science and Technology (NTNU) made it to the finals of one of Europe’s most prestigious architecture awards: EU Mies. Their names are Geir Brendeland and Olav Kristoffersen. The prize, which is 60,000 Euros, is awarded every two years to the best new building in Europe during that time.
Photo Credit: ©THOMAS SKINNEMOEN, https://divisare.com/
Brendeland and Kristoffersen were the masterminds for a new garden in Lund, Sweden known as Hage. The goal of the garden was to be a place where people could meet as it was created in the center of a new neighborhood. The idea is that homes will eventually be built next to Hage and it will become a vibrant social setting for kids and families to gather. Hage consists of 2.2-meter-high walls on three sides with a garden in the middle. The remaining side is enclosed by a steel canopy and features a long table and benches for visitors.
Though they did not end up taking first place in the competition, the architect duo reached the top five, which is the next highest-level honor. Norwegians have only won the award once and it was Oslo’s Opera House, designed by Snøhetta, that took home the prize. Gaute Brochmann, editor of the journal Arkitektur, believes that the two designs have something in common: “It is a social approach to architecture. It is very inviting and becomes something more than what it is.”
It will be fun to keep an eye on Hage in future years to see how it takes root as a social setting for new life.