Outline

Among the most notable achievements of Scandinavian architecture are a responsible approach to the environment and a keen appreciation for social concerns. The Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen (founded in 1986, with offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Oslo, and London) reflect these standards in their remarkable buildings. They attach great importance to the practicality of the structures they design and to their integration into the real context of their surroundings and their users. This monograph presents a selection of their twenty best structures and projects of recent years (from Denmark, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, England, the Czech Republic, and Saudi Arabia). All the designs are depicted and analyzed according to the following themes: economic, ecological, and social sustainability; the value the building adds to its surroundings; the building's identity-forming power; and permeability between the public and private spheres.

Introduction: Democratic architecture - v. Barry Bergdoll (Chief Curator, dep. of Architecture & Design, MoMA) TEXT ENTRY: Jay Merrick (architectural journalist, Independent) in dialogue with the Schmidt hammer lassen partner group about their democratic approach to architecture. ARoS (DK) Nuuk (GL) The Black Diamante (DK) The Frigate Jylland (DK) TEXT ENTRY: Olafur Eliasson on art and architecture, e. g. in dialogue with partner in Schmidt hammer lassen Morten Schmidt Nykredit (DK) Danfoss (DK) Växjö Library (SE) Culture Island in Middelfart (DK) Sheikh Zayed (SA) TEXT ENTRY Discussion between MAD architects (young Chinese practice) and partner in schmidt hammer lassen Morten Holm. Keyword: Democratic architecture (further information on MAD architects: www. i-mad. com) Halmstad Library (SE) The Cathedral of Nothern Lights, Alta (NO) Spilados, Reykjavik (IS) Amazon Court, Prague Performers House, (DK) Skyttehusbugten (DK) The Crystal (DK) Thor Heyerdal (NO) NRGI (DK) Aberdeen (UK) X-ing towers (DK) Westminster college (UK) TEXT ENTRY Article on the photographer, Joachim Ladefoged.