The Planning Lab

Lego for grown-ups

MOCpages (via NotCot)

Lego for grown-ups

MOCpages (via NotCot)

Tall is beautiful

Many Swedish people are allergic to tall buildings when it comes to city development. Even those that see themselves as progressive in many respects are extremely conservative when discussing the future skyline of Stockholm. There are even blogs (one of my favorite ones) about this phenomena. 

One reason for being afraid is that people usually think of architectural monsters like Petronas Towers. Impressive, but they don't fit the "overall picture of the city". So, it's not strange that buildings in Stockholm are seldom taller than six stories. More importantly, though, I think that most people really can't envision how a tall building would actually look like in their backyard. Skepticism then comes natural. 

The backyard of Atlasgatan, St Eriksgatan and Vulcanusgatan.

As it happens, there is a ten-story building right in my backyard. The architecture is typical of Stockholm, 1930s. The structure is placed between street-level St. Eriksplan and the lower-levelled Atlas, so it's not a real ten-story house in that sense. But it gives a pretty nice picture of how things would look like if common Stockholm architecture would be a bit higher without losing identity.

Tall is beautiful

Many Swedish people are allergic to tall buildings when it comes to city development. Even those that see themselves as progressive in many respects are extremely conservative when discussing the future skyline of Stockholm. There are even blogs (one of my favorite ones) about this phenomena. 

One reason for being afraid is that people usually think of architectural monsters like Petronas Towers. Impressive, but they don't fit the "overall picture of the city". So, it's not strange that buildings in Stockholm are seldom taller than six stories. More importantly, though, I think that most people really can't envision how a tall building would actually look like in their backyard. Skepticism then comes natural. 

The backyard of Atlasgatan, St Eriksgatan and Vulcanusgatan.

As it happens, there is a ten-story building right in my backyard. The architecture is typical of Stockholm, 1930s. The structure is placed between street-level St. Eriksplan and the lower-levelled Atlas, so it's not a real ten-story house in that sense. But it gives a pretty nice picture of how things would look like if common Stockholm architecture would be a bit higher without losing identity.

Primer: experience design

View SlideShare presentation 

Primer: experience design

View SlideShare presentation 

First private spaceport to be built next year

Virgin Galactic will start building its spaceport in New Mexico next year. It's designed by Foster + Partners, a high-profile UK architecture firm.

Gizmodo

First private spaceport to be built next year

Virgin Galactic will start building its spaceport in New Mexico next year. It's designed by Foster + Partners, a high-profile UK architecture firm.

Gizmodo

New exhibition about dynamics of global cities at Tate Modern

Global Cities looks at the changing faces of ten dynamic international cities: Cairo, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, São Paulo, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Exploring each city through five thematic lenses – speed, size, density, diversity and form – the exhibition draws on data originally assembled for the 10th International Architecture Exhibition at the 2006 Venice Biennale. This unique show presents existing films, videos and photographs by more than 20 artists and architects to offer subjective and intimate interpretations of urban conditions in all ten cities.

Scott Peterman
Born and works USA
Ecataepec 2006
Framed C-print
Courtesy the artist and Miller Block Gallery, Boston, USA

The exhibition takes place between June 20 and August 27. If you aren't able to visit, I recommend the website which is packed with interesting photos and reading materials.

Tate Modern [via Treehugger]

New exhibition about dynamics of global cities at Tate Modern

Global Cities looks at the changing faces of ten dynamic international cities: Cairo, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, São Paulo, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Exploring each city through five thematic lenses – speed, size, density, diversity and form – the exhibition draws on data originally assembled for the 10th International Architecture Exhibition at the 2006 Venice Biennale. This unique show presents existing films, videos and photographs by more than 20 artists and architects to offer subjective and intimate interpretations of urban conditions in all ten cities.

Scott Peterman
Born and works USA
Ecataepec 2006
Framed C-print
Courtesy the artist and Miller Block Gallery, Boston, USA

The exhibition takes place between June 20 and August 27. If you aren't able to visit, I recommend the website which is packed with interesting photos and reading materials.

Tate Modern [via Treehugger]