initial concept explorations

Sweden’s early history began at the end of the Ice Age that brought the first inhabitants to Scandinavia. The receding glaciers and warmer climate turned the barren land into lush plains and forests. As the years went on, climates changed with the seasons and the people moved southward toward the coasts. The cycle reversed and the inward land became fertile again. The back and forth movement of the people from the land to the sea, farm to boat, characterizes Swedish culture. Contemplating this idea of land and sea migration, i’ve considered the idea of having two separate buildings that work together to create one essential building. They would take on the form of a wave movement and fit together within the negative spaces of the sister tower. Pushing back toward the land and again back toward the sea.

The idea of land and sea working together speaks to Stockholm, Sweden specifically in that the city is built on fourteen islands that rise gracefully from the water. Swimming and fishing are activities that occur even in the heart of the city. Ferries, boats, and cruises shuttle you around the city and allows for many ports for trading and exit. The sole purpose of the skyscraper is to provide a building for offices and other commercial uses. It will provide places for people to work both individually and together: just as the land and sea works both individually and together to keep the city vivacious.

Consider: “Everything in moderation”

Swedes tend to be very humble in nature and consider boasting to be unacceptable. They prefer to be quiet and listen rather than making their own voice heard. Excessiveness, flashiness, and boasting are abhorred within Swedish culture.

The challenge is to create a building that speaks to the strength that Scandinavia holds in the field of architecture and design without offending the humble culture of the Swedes.