White Arkitekter discusses urban equity at the Venice Biennale 2016
Urban equity and the Kiruna transformation will be at the centre of White Arkitekter’s participation at the Architecture Biennale 2016, which opens in Venice on May 28th.
A seminar under the topic “Honestly, Sweden, it’s time for equity”, which is to be led by White Arkitekter, is taking the Nordic pavilion’s spotlight on May 27th. The event, initiated by White in cooperation with the Nordic pavilion, is reporting from the fronts of practice, where architects take long-term action and lead equitable change. The seminar includes three different talks:
- “Kiruna – Thinking in time”: Krister Lindstedt, White Arkitekter and Johanna Hurme, Co-Founder, 5468796 Architecture
- “Malmö – Urban equity in practice”: Åsa Bjerndell, White Arkitekter and Christer Larsson, Director of City Planning, Malmö
- “What is our contribution to a global society?”: Monica von Schmalensee, CEO, White Arkitekter and David van der Leer, Director, Van Alen Institute.
The talks will be moderated by Malin Zimm, research strategist at White.
“We’re proud to lead this important discussion at the Biennale on how to address global challenges, such as equity, migration and social justice. As architects, we play an important role effecting change”, says Monica von Schmalensee, CEO at White Arkitekter.
The theme of the 2016 Biennale – curated by Alejandro Aravena – is “Reporting from the Front", calling upon the role of architecture in providing decent living conditions to people all around the world, despite the increasingly difficult global context. The exhibition at the Nordic pavilion – named “In Therapy – Nordic Countries Face to Face” - consists of 300 architectural projects that respond to Aravena’s call for action. The pavilion’s content is provided by architects from Sweden, Finland and Norway and has been curated by the founder of ArchDaily David Basulto.
White Arkitekter will be represented by ten projects covering all three categories – i.e. Foundational, Belonging and Recognition - of the exhibition: Johanneberg Science Park (Gothenburg, Sweden), Bråtejordet School (Bråtejordet, Norway), Radiotherapy Building, Skåne University Hospital (Lund, Sweden), Väven (Umeå, Sweden), Tele2 Arena (Stockholm, Sweden), Messingen (Upplands Väsby, Sweden), Naturum Kosterhavet (South Koster, Sweden), Chameleon Cabin, Naturum Vattenriket (Kristianstad, Sweden), Hasle Harbour Bath (Bornholm, Denmark).
The opening of the Nordic pavilion will be presided by the Swedish Minister for Culture and Democracy, Alice Bah Kuhnke.
White represents Sweden in collateral event
In addition, White has been selected by a jury as the architectural practice representing Sweden at “INpractice – the state of committed architecture in Europe”, part of the collateral event “Architects meet in Fuoribiennale_now>next”. Nearly 40 European offices – one per country – will compose a high-profile international network, curated by AIAC (the Italian Association for Architecture and Criticism) and the magazine A10.
White will discuss the transformation of Kiruna as an example of qualitative architecture in Europe that inspires the world. Krister Lindstedt, process leader and lead architect, will present this project on May 26th in the afternoon. Following the presentations and round table, a book, featuring Kiruna as well as the other participating projects, will be launched.
What: Kiruna at “Architects meet in Fuoribiennale_now>next”
When: May 26th (14:30 – 21:00)
Where: Calle Widmann, 30121 Cannaregio, Venice
For more information: http://en.presstletter.com/2016/04/in-practice-the-state-of-committed-architecture-in-europe/
What: “Honestly, Sweden, it’s time for Equity” When: May 27th (15:00 – 16:00)
Where: Nordic pavilion
For more information (in Swedish): http://www.arkdes.se/articles/arkitektur-biennal-venedig-2016/utstallda-projekt
Contact information:
Monica von Schmalensee, CEO, +46 (0)8-4022584
Malin Zimm, research strategist, +46 (0)8-4022552
White Arkitekter was founded by Sidney White in 1951 and is Scandinavia’s leading architectural firm with over 800 employees working in 14 offices in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the UK. Our work is research focused and our expertise encompasses architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and interior design.
For nearly two decades, White has invested in establishing a unique research-based department of highly qualified experts in the field of sustainable design. Our founder’s aim was to improve society through architecture and his legacy lives on in our ambition to contribute towards the building of a sustainable world.
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