Architecture and design

At its completion in 2000, the bridge was advertised by a massive half-marathon, and on 1 July the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustav and the Queen of Denmark Margrethe inaugurated it in a widely-broadcast event that was central to showcasing the tangible success of the transnational cooperation. Photo: The first Broloppet/Broløbet half-marathon where around 80,000 people took part. Courtesy of Øresundsbro Konsortiet.

2020.04.21 | Article, Francesco Zavatti, The Borders of the Nordics, Cooperation, Architecture & design

A short history of the Oresund Bridge

A globally renowned icon, the bridge is in fact part rail/road bridge and part tunnel spanning the Oresund (or ‘The Sound’) between Denmark and Sweden. It was completed in 2000, but it has a rather long and convoluted history. It is a symbol of many and sometimes opposing things: Nordic cooperation in the economy and engineering, as well as the…

Henning Larsen’s stately Copenhagen Opera House (2005) and Lundgaard & Tranberg’s copper and glass Royal Danish Playhouse (2008) beckon across the harbour to each other. Photo: Krysta Mae Dimick

2019.06.19 | Article, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Nordic architecture: creative currents in the 21st Century

Twenty-first century Nordic architecture embraces a variety of architectural ideas and directions, presenting fresh approaches with a renewed sense of the importance of architecture as a form of cultural expression and creation. Complementing new forms of urban public space is an explosion of civic architecture; cultural, educational, and communal…

Henning Larsen and Ólafur Eliasson, Harpa concert hall and conference center (2011), Reykjavik. The elegant faceted, specially glazed volumes provide a lantern-like presence on the city waterfront. Photo: William Warby (CC BY-SA 3.0)

2019.06.05 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Prominent 21st century architecture in Iceland

From infrastructure and housing projects to culture and recreation centres, recent Icelandic architecture includes a range of design directions, among them the neo-modernism characteristic of the Nordics.

Kurt Wold, “cubist” stone sculpture (1997), Mefjellet. Wold’s sculpture frames the view of the Fanaråken glacier and Smørstabb pinnacles. It was included in the first site to be developed by the NTR. Photo: Krysta Mae Dimick

2019.05.22 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Fusion of art and nature along Norway’s scenic routes

A national initiative developed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) from the 1990s onwards creates numerous artistic, architectural, and landscape design experiences located along scenic travel routes in Norway’s striking and dramatic natural settings. Intended to increase access and bolster businesses in the rural countryside, the…

Italian architect Renzo Piano's Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art (2012), Oslo. Located on the waterfront, the museum occupies a significant presence in the Oslo cityscape. Photo: Krysta Mae Dimick

2019.05.22 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Prominent 21st century architecture in Norway

An affluent country, Norway boasts remarkable productivity in architecture and infrastructure in recent decades, often drawing on neo-modernism, as well as a profound appreciation of the country's natural landscapes.

Kai Wartiainen, Ruoholahti High Tech centre (2001), Helsinki. The series of crane-like structures on the west harbour houses both IT companies and educational facilities. Photo: Krysta Mae Dimick

2019.05.08 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Prominent 21st century architecture in Finland

Recent Finnish architecture of note includes civic, cultural and religious works, ranging in style from neo-modernism to the more culturally referenced.

Henning Larsen, concert and congress hall (2011), Uppsala. The split cubic form with a sculptural reflective metallic and glass façade is referred to locally as the 'Crystal'. Photo: Krysta Mae Dimick

2019.04.24 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Prominent 21st century architecture in Sweden

21st century cultural and civic buildings in Sweden offer both place-based and neo-modernist styles.

The education centre 'Glasir' is located on the undulating fjords of the Faroe Islands, with views to the capital Tórshavn, the sea and verdant fells. Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj. Courtesy of: BIG

2019.04.10 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Prominent 21st century architecture in Greenland and the Faroe Islands

Many civic works in Greenland and the Faroe Islands draw upon the respective countries' dramatic, rugged landscapes and sometimes harsh climate for inspiration.

The interior of Jørn Utzon’s Bagsværd church (1976), Copenhagen. The curving white flowing ceiling captures Utzon’s intention of creating a cloud-like sky within the space. Photo: seier+seier (CC BY 2.0)

2019.04.10 | Article, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Nordic architecture: a continuing modernism, post-war to 2000

Since the Second World War, Nordic architecture has been informed by a dialogue between modernity and tradition and a sustained respect for local environmental and social conditions. This has provided a creative and expressive foundation for architecture throughout the second half of the twentieth century which has proven to be contextually…

3XN, AC Hotel Bella Sky (2011), Ørestad in Copenhagen, Denmark. A powerful expressive work with two inclined and faceted towers connected by a sky bridge. Photo: Krysta Mae Dimick

2019.03.27 | The Quick Read, William C Miller, Architecture & design

Prominent 21st century architecture in Denmark

Booming Danish 21st century architecture includes harbour swimming pools, housing, civic buildings and event houses, with neo-modernist design playing a significant role.