Course syllabus

NORDIC ARCHITECTURE

What is “the Nordic”? This course has two main aims: first, to give a brief introduction to Nordic architecture. Second, to research Nordic qualities like site adaptation, space, light, and materiality, as well as social characteristics such as collectivity, flexibility, and critical praxis. Students will work in teams on a concrete analysis of one particular building through model making, and the projects will be discussed through several student-led seminars.

THEME 2025: SPACE OF ONE'S OWN
 This year, the course will have two themes running parallel, that both involve the creation of a space to exist, meet and develop a community. The first theme concerns architecture connected with the Sami culture, the second theme with the broader popular movements of the 20th century, the so called ”folkrörelser” which have played a major roll in all Nordic countries. Although different and seemingly far apart, both themes raise the architectural questions - by whom, for whom, and with whom? - and uncover traits often more hidden in the architectural canon.

Schedule and course information

All work, even if there is no digital delivery, is made as a Canvas "assignment" with delivery date and is explained in the assignment text. Detailed schedule with times, location and teachers is found in the pdf:

Schedule ACE360 Nordic Architecture 2025.pdf

Complementary information or changes will be communicated through "Announcements" in Canvas.

Lectures, seminars and group work

Lectures and seminars will take place in the Art Studio next to the workshop. This space will also be available for model building and group work as an extension of the workshop space.

The course also has studio space to work in on the 5th floor, where model work can be kept in between weekly sessions.

Students work in pre-assigned groups with pre-assigned projects.

All files, drawings, pictures etc during the process can be shared in the folder of respective group in this One Drive folder

Contact details

Tabita Nilsson, course leader, teacher, tabita@chalmers.se, 0709-615052

Bri Gauger, course leader, bri.gauger@chalmers.se, 0701-478671

Johan Linton, professor, examiner, linton@chalmers.se

Peter Lindblom, workshop teacher, pl@chalmers.se

Jarkko Nordlund, workshop teacher, jarkko@chalmers.se

Guest lecturers:

Eve Sarapää , Sami Architect, eve@sarapaa.com

Nina Andersson, CEO Folkets Hus & Parker.

Course purpose and content

The course gives a basis for reflection on Nordic architecture on different scales through a discourse with some of its traditions, contemporary developments, buildings and architects. The course has two main aims. First, to give a brief introduction to Nordic architecture. Second, to research Nordic qualities like site adaptation, space, light, and materiality and cultural context by working with a concrete analysis of one particular building through model making. 

The subject of analysis is focused on a specific architectural theme which varies each year. Recent years included housing (2021), public buildings (2020) and recently (2021-23) the theme “Nordic Women,” engaging projects designed by women from across the last century.

Eight buildings, all projects on different scales and with different design philosophies, from each of the Nordic countries will be studied in groups of 6-7 students and analyzed in depth through model making, based on existing plans, sections, publications, and photos. This will be complemented by readings and study visits, which are planned by the students; with an option to stay in the region or (at the students' expense) travel in the Nordic region. The analysis is an ongoing process throughout the model making and is intended to understand essential qualities of the buildings in their historic, spatial, and social context and also to develop and clarify concepts of Nordic architecture.

Projects in theme A : Sapmi

• Vardobaiki, Ole Einejord. Evenskjer, Norway
• Atosstugan with surroundings, traditional.  Tärnaby, Sweden
• Lassagammi, Eino Jokinen & Nils-Aslak Valkeapää. Skibotn, Norway
  
• Coarvematta, Snøhetta / 70' arkitektur / Joar Nango.  Kautokeino, Norway

Projects in theme B : People's movements

• Moriska Paviljongen, Malmö Folkets Park, Aron Wolff Krenzisky.  Malmö, Sweden
• Kvindernes hus, Ragna Grubb. Copenhagen, Denmark
  
• Frihamnskyrkan, Elding Oscarsson Arkitekter. Göteborg, Sweden
  
• Työväentalo (Folkets hus), Alvar Aalto.  Jyväskylä, Finland

Course literature

Mandatory literature

There are three texts related to the two themes that are mandatory for all: 

Helga West : "No thank u, next. The Sami are heavily burdened with Western science, so what?". Extract from blog 2020

There are digital versions of these under the module Obligatory readings for all.

Apart from this we have listed recommended reading and reference literature - either connected to each theme, to each group or to Nordic architecture in general. Books are available at the library at the School of Architecture, the University library, or on loan from the instructors.

Recommended literature theme A: Sapmi

Gunilla Lindahl : Samisk arkitektur. Västerbottens Museum 1-11 (in Swedish) https://vbm.se/vbmstorage/uploads/2017/09/2011_1.pdf

Joar Nango (2008) The Saami Building Tradition: A Complex Picture, cataloguetext, Northern Experiments: The Barents City Survey

Fiction recommendations Sapmi theme:
Ann-Helén Laestadius: Straff (English title: Punished)

Ann-Helén Laestadius: Stolen (English title: Stolen)
Linne Axelsson: Aednan (English title Aednan)

Recommended literature theme B: People’s movements

Jan Wiklund – Swedish social movements. http://www.folkrorelser.org/inenglish/swedishsocial.html 

Recommended literature for groups: see respective group under modules

Recommended literature Nordic Architecture in general:

Claes Caldenby (ed.), Sweden: 20th-century architecture. München: Prestel, 1998.

Kjeld Kjeldsen (ed.), New Nordic: architecture & identity. Humlebæk: Louisiana, 2012.

Nils Ole Lund, Nordic architecture, Arkitektens forlag, 2008.

Atli Magnus Seelow, Reconstructing the Stockholm Exhibition 1930. Arkitektur förlag, 2016.

Course design

The course in Nordic architecture runs over nine weeks. The first week includes introductory lectures on the two themes, on Nordic and social context, and on model building. The second week there is a site trip with options to travel in the region or to stay in Gothenburg. The next five weeks are dedicated to model building, with several student-led seminars mixed in, where each group will share their research questions and findings with the rest of the class as a basis for discussion.

The models and accompanying material will be presented in a public exhibition which communicates the individual projects and the comparison between them. The exhibition will be complemented by a  digital presentation  and model record in  Chalmers’ Open Digital Repository (ODR) /Model Archive   These three types of presentations, together with active participation in lectures and seminars, are the basis for the examination of the course.

The students will work in project groups of 6-7.  The project groups will be pre-made and assigned one building each. All student groups will together be responsible for the layout, mounting and dismounting of the physical exhibition as well as coordinating content and layout in the digital presentation, and promoting them.

The study tour or study trip is basically a series of study visits that give first-hand experience of Nordic buildings. The purpose of this is to give embodied experiences that associate with the studied objects and time for reflections and discussions in the project group related to this. 

The time assigned for this is Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd January. The students plan – as a group - their own study tour, exactly what to see that broadens the view on Nordic Architecture, how much time to put into looking at the assigned project (if possible) and what to complement with. The study trip should if possible be done with one's own project group, or with students from other groups so as to give reflection and discussion. Optional is to prolong the trip using the weekend, which gives the possibility of a more extensive trip and maybe being able to visit the assigned project. Visiting the building you are studying gives another dimension to the research and is highly recommended, but it is also possible to choose buildings of similar character, size, period, function etc that relate to the project. If the theme so requires, part of the study tour might be complemented with a visit or contact organized by the teachers.

The first two weeks introduce the course through a presentation of the projects and a series of lectures. It also includes group formation,  preparations for the model building as well as planning and going on study tours. Literature studies, analytic drawings based on existing plans, sections, and other representations, as well as the study trip to the buildings (or relevant examples) are the basis for a deeper understanding and reflection.

The next four weeks will be mostly dedicated to model building with analysis discussed in several student-led seminars. Students will formulate research questions for their projects and facilitate group discussion.

The final sessions will include model building and concrete preparations for the exhibition. The exhibition opening includes a critique by the examiner. The course ends with documentation and the launching of the digital presentation.

Changes made since the last occasion

The course has two parallel themes that have been given more room in the general introduction.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

Knowledge and understanding

• Identify common features and aspects of Nordic architecture, critically question and expand those designations, and reflect on similarities and differences across the Nordic region.

Competence and skills

• Collaborate with group members to build models on several scales, develop model building as a tool for understanding, and use models for communication through the exhibition format.
• Creatively combine archival materials such as architectural drawings, images, films, and interviews, with study visits and secondary sources.

Judgement and approach

• Formulate research questions to relate specific Nordic architects and buildings to their social, cultural and historical contexts and build physical models that highlight these questions.

For the full overview of learning outcomes, examination, and so on, see the detailed Study plan

Links to an external site.

Examination

To pass the course the following is required: attendance and active participation in all aspects of group work: model building, seminars, study visits, reports, and final exhibition. If participation is not possible due to illness etc, an equivalent exercise will be shaped in discussion with both the project group and the examiner.

Grading:

For any student being present at all the lectures, trips, seminars and the model building the normal grade is 4. Lesser participation will result in the grade 3 or not passed. Exceptional contributions during the course in terms of teamwork, process, and/or outcome might result in the grade 5.

Participation grade is based on general participation in the course and based on the post-evaluation of the group work contract.

Deliveries

Each individual student shall deliver:

• Model reflection 1, Jan 15 (written)
• Model reflection 2, Mar 11 (written)
• Post-evaluation of group work contract, Mar 11 (written)

Each project group shall deliver:

• Group work contract, Jan 15 (written)
• List of study tour objects, Jan 23 (written)
• List of research questions and preliminary findings for one seminar (written, prior to seminar)
• 3 models of the project building (physical)
• Digital presentation of the building through models and text on Instagram
• Documentation of models, in photos, text and references, uploaded on https://odr.chalmers.se/modellkammarenLinks to an external site. according to instructions.

• All sources and references relevant for the project collected in the One Drive folder, together with a list of them in a separate document.

The whole group shall deliver:

• A physical exhibition with models and information, March 4