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Selling Architecture that Sells:
A Nordic Perspective on Quality Commercial Design
May 22, 2008, Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, Slovenia

Architecture conference 2008 addresses the the challenge of producing quality architecture that meets the needs of makers, users and the larger public – and commercial – good.
This is architecture of the Nordic countries that is used directly or indirectly, to represent, to convince; to sell. One of the issues the event explores is the confronting and/or eliminating of the walls or boundaries between commercially-viable design and quality architecture that preserves integral architectural values to create something contemporary (of our time) engaging, useful and enduring.

The Nordic Perspective

Architecture of the Nordic countries enjoys an extremely good reputation around the world, and in Slovenia in particular. It serves as something of both an inspiration for and a model of strong, innovative, high-quality design and enduring design integrity.

Programme:

8.30 – 9.20 Registration

9.20 – 9.30 Conference Opening

9.30 – 9.50 Sadar Vuga Arhitekti, Boštjan Vuga, Slovenia

9.50 – 10.35 JKMM Architects / Teemu Kurkela, Finland: Human Sculpturesque Technology

10.35 – 10.45 Break

10.45 – 11.30 OlssonLyckefors Architekter, Andreas Lyckefors, Sweden: Beyond Preconceptions

11.30 – 11.35 Break

11.35 – 12.20 a-lab / Adnan Harambasic, Oslo, Norway: Joining Forces

12.20 – 12.25 Break

12.25 – 13.10 Valvomo / Ilkka Terho, Finland: Interior Architecture as Corporate Identity

13.10 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 14.45 Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter / Dorte Mandrup-Poulsen, Denmark: An Experimental Approach as Alternative to Routine Commercial Construction

14.45 – 15.00 Coffee break

15.00 – 15.45 JDS Architects / Andrew Griffin, Denmark: JDS ARCHITECTS Pixl to XL

15.45 – 16.10 Questions & Discussion

Registration:

Fee: 50 EUR + ddv. (Free for HIŠE magazine subscribers – need to register)
Subscriptions/additional information: Contact person: Helena Kvartuh, phone: 01 4312222 or kvartuh@zavodbig.si

Registration form

Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter (founded June 1999) in Copenhagen, Denmark, works on a wide range of commisions including master- and urban planning, cultural institutions, housing, office buildings and conversions.
Their most recent projects include a new indoor sports facility in Holmbladsgade, Copenhagen, where a large translucent membrane stretches over the sports and culture centre arena, offering excellent daylight conditions and by night, appearing as a glowing crystal.
They also recently converted the Jægersborg Water Tower into a mix-use building with a youth centre and residences, where common balconies add new sculptural layers that enhance the distinctive character of the tower.
More: Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter ApS; Denmark

Registration form

Valvomo Architects is a design and architecture studio based in Helsinki founded by eight architects / designers working together as equal partners. The studio works on all areas of design, from architecture and interiors to objects, and their designs are included in many permanent international collections including MoMA New York.
Clients vary from restaurants, bars and clubs, to ad agencies and museums, and foreign design manufacturers include Nightingale Corp (Canada), Peter Pepper Products (USA), Offecct (Sweden), David Design (Sweden), and Idée (Japan).
Recently completed is the interior design for Krogerus Attorneys Ltd in Helsinki, shifting their brand identity from a traditional “law firm-look” to a new, young, cool, clear and “aggressive” one, complete with epoxy-flooring, laminate wall panels and white glass walls with graphics.
more: Valvomo / Ilkka Terho, Director; Helsinki, Finland

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Founded in 1998 by four partners, JKMM is currently designing several important public buildings in Finland. Their goal is to create buildings with exceptional architectural and technical quality, putting traditional wooden oar locks alongside BIM – Building Information Modeling – as exemplar models and tools in the design process. For them, buildings are designed for people, and should be at their best even after decades of use.
Recently completed are the new, light and spacious Turku Library, and the expansive Verkkatehdäs Culture and Congress Centre in Hämeenlinna, a massive conversion of an old factory complex boasting a number of venue-spaces and highly-advanced acoustics.
more: JKMM / Teemu Kurkela, CEO; Helsinki, Finland

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Andrew Griffin

JDS is a multidisciplinary office founded and directed by Julien de Smedt, co-founder of Plot, that focuses on architecture and design, from large scale planning to furniture, with a wide portfolio of international work. Their use of complementing teams ensures that projects don’t suffer from being too conventional nor too naïve.
Their recent Sjakket Youth House is a base camp for immigrant youth that occupies a former factory building, which gutted one of the vaulted buildings to make it a vast sports hall. And their recent flagship and concession stores for Bruunz Bazaar Scandinavian sets out to focus on the basic aspects of architecture and fashion, leaving space for essential representation: the clothes.
More: JDS, Copenhagen, Denmark
photo: copyright Nikolaj Moller

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OlssonLyckefors Architects (Johan Olsson and Andreas Lyckefors, 2004) develops a wide range of projects, from furniture and interior design, to housing and city planning.
Here the risks of preconceived notions that easily arise when repeatedly involved in similar kinds of projects are eliminated by swapping between different scales and types of challenges.
Recent projects include the dream-like Peacock dinner and dance club in Stockhom – complete with LED-light behind perforated wooden panels and chain curtains; and the Taste International restaurant-lounge in Gothenburg, complete with green flocking, corrugated walls black terrazzo.
On the more socially-responsible side, they just completed an exhibiton called ‘Homeless’, for the Gothenburg City Museum.
More: www.olssonlyckefors.se

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a-lab’s recent and current projects include the extensive, ongoing Barcode development in Oslo (housing, shopping, restaurants), an extension and addition to the municipality building of Sogne, and the Oslo City urban centre shopping complex.
more: a-lab / Adnan Harambasic , Oslo, Norway: Joining Forces

Registration form