Latest update 12.04.2011
SLA on the move
At the end of the year SLA is leaving the residence on Refshaleøen and moving its practice to Valby. Our new address is:
Carl Jacobsens Vej 29 A
DK 2500 Valby, Copenhagen
SLA is looking forward to continue working in the new surroundings.
Street of the Year?
Sønder Boulevard is nominated for the iByen Prize by Danish newspaper Politiken as Street of the Year. The motivation emphasizes SLA’s non-conformist revitalization and the colourful urban life of the street.
Vote here for Sønder Boulevard
And more on Sønder Boulevard: According to Copenhagen X, SLA – not Paris Hilton – created the trend of new dog owners in 2008 with the boulevard redesign.
Politiken also mentions the new elephant's area in Copenhagen Zoo amongst the Danish 2008 architectural highlights.
Let’s Not Talk About Aesthetics
SLA strives to challenge people in their daily behaviour by creating a flexible and dynamic urban development.
On Monday, December 8th, at the Danish Architecture Centre, SLA’s Lene Dammand Lund and Martin Søberg will present the office’s approach to working within the field of landscape architecture with special attention towards the methods of SLA.
SLA currently exhibits as part of the Building Sustainable Communities exhibition at the Danish Architecture Centre in Copenhagen.
Read more (Danish only)
SLA looking for interns
We are moving to a newly renovated office space in the historical seed warehouse at Carl Jacobsens Vej in Valby, Copenhagen, by January 2009, and looking for interns to start February 1st.
During the internship you will be working on SLA’s competition and realization projects and thereby get a thorough insight into the entire field of landscape architecture, planning and urban design.
Read more under Jobs
SLA in committee for urban politics
The administrative director of Lene Dammand Lund is part of the committee for urban politics under the Danish Ministry of the Environment. Based on a strategic publication from the Danish Minister of the Environment Troels Lund Poulsen the committee is to discuss visions, possibilities and ideas for sustainable urban planning for the future.
The four cornerstones of the future urban planning are; the dense, the green, the blue and the healthy city. The committee are going to meet four times during the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 to develop new strategies that will outline a new ministerial statement for the future planning of Danish towns and cities.
SLA wins a category of the Creative Awards 2008-2009
Along with spectacular projects such as Snöhetta’s ‘Norwegian Opera & Ballet’ in Oslo, Ryue Nishizawa’s ‘Towada Art Center’ in Aomori (Japan), and Zaha Hadid's stations of the ‘Nordpark Cable Railway’ in Innsbruck, the elephant facility of the Copenhagen Zoo by SLA and Norman Foster has received a Creative Award. The prize is presented by the Japanese magazine Pen, which has set up a selection committee of six experts from the fields of architecture and design.
The criteria of the awards are making the impossible come to live, to give form to the future and to show how beautiful the world around us is. The committee is proud to present ‘some of the finest examples of the collective wisdom, creativity and ingenuity that humankind has to offer’.
SLA on symposium in Hannover
On the 6th and 7th of November the Leibniz University of Hannover hosts an international symposium titled ‘The Natural of the Artificial in contemporary Culture Landscapes’. Here the contemporary cultural landscapes that the ages of Industry and Knowledge has presented to us, will be debated. How can we utilize these spaces in the best way? And how can artistic strategies be introduced in the creation of exceptional urban spaces in the areas that our culture has left us?
By presenting contemporary examples of innovative planning and urban designs from the SLA catalogue, Martin Søberg elaborates on different approaches for the future of international planning.
1st prize in Vordingborg
SLA wins 1st prize in the competition for a new master plan for the town of Vordingborg, Denmark, in collaboration with Professor Otto Anker Nielsen, DTU, and Søren Jensen Engineers.
“A future built on the past” is the motto for the three-level strategy, which focuses on density, infrastructure and urban spaces. The strategy will create a basis for a good, future-secured and sustainable town.
The team also suggests a restructuring and optimization of the infrastructure. This will lead to a development of the local shopping facilities and support an attractive and lively urban culture.
SLA awarded
SLA and Norman Fosters elephant area in Copenhagen Zoo has received the annual award for beautiful building. The jury stated: “a magnificent design” and “ Frederiksberg Royal Gardens gave a way a bit of land to SLA Architects garden, but has been given a new exotic landmark, which beautiful harmony with the many surprises of the romantic garden.”
Frederiksberg New Urban Spaces received an honourable mention: “The new squares have managed to unite a fragmented area with a number of striking urban spaces”. “Through this intelligent ‘sampling’ of references and a play of the senses SLA Architects has achieved to stage the pulsating life of the modern city and its many changing spaces, moods and surprises.”
Norwegian connections
On 25th September Trondheim’s Architectural Association was visited by project manager Salka Kudsk, SLA, who presented the project Trondheim Crossing along with SLA’s Norwegian partner, Pir II architects.
The day before SLA’s head of communication Martin Søberg spoke on “Space, motion and pedagogy” at the Flexible Educational Building conference in Sandvika, arranged by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, with special emphasis on Trekroner School in Roskilde, Denmark.
SLA published again
ARCHIWORLD has produced the first volume of New Environment and Landscape to inspire students and people in the business by presenting trend-setting landscaping. And again the Frederiksberg New Urban Space is to be found among international prestigious projects.
The Norwegian magazine Design Interiør has also chosen the Frederiksberg New Urban Space to give an impression of how the architects of the new Bjørvika-area in Oslo work. They give a detailed introduction to the characteristics of SLA and ask Hanne Bruun Møller of SLA what the urban space of Bjørvika might look like.
Meanwhile in Venice
SLA is among the contributors of the exhibition “ECOTOPIA – walk the talk” on the 11th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. It is located in the Danish Pavillon. SLA presents again the video Let's Not Talk About Aesthetics.
ECOTOPIA requests a new discussion about ways that architecture and urban development can encounter current climatic challenges. The exhibition features different efforts to diminish the urban contamination of our climate through sustainable solutions. ECOTOPIA is put together by DAC | Danish Architecture Centre and be experienced in Venice from September 14th to November 23rd.
SLA on display in new exhibition
On the exhibition BUILIDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES at the Danish Architecture Centre SLA appears among the 21 featured Danish companies. SLA contributes the video 'Let’s Not Talk About Aesthetics' that presents new footage of different projects and reveals a behind the scenes view of the office’s approach to the pursuit of creating new urban experiences.
The exhibition displays current examples of how architects, planners and engineers take social and ethical responsibility in the pursuit of creating sustainable living conditions all over the world. The exhibition is in English.
SLA qualified for prestigious project in Malmö
In the competition for designing a new multifunctional urban space in Malmö with concert hall, congress facilities and hotel, SLA’s team with Skanska and Schmidt Hammer Lassen is among the final five qualifiers. The other competitors count big names as Studio Daniel Liebeskind, Henning Larsen Architects, Snøhetta and Baumschlager & Eberle Architects.
For SLA the project means a new possibility of creating sensory and dynamic urban spaces in correspondence with the construction of the new large complex. Focusing on a conceptual interweaving of new and old elements in the conception of values of amenity, SLA strives to go all the way.
Vordingborg chosen for development of cultural heritage
SLA and the municipality of Vordingborg were chosen as one of four receivers of financial support to enhance and visualize the local cultural heritage. The project for supporting the knowledge of cultural heritage is provided by Realdania and the Agency for Cultural Heritage.
SLA will be the consultant in the municipality’s endeavour of utilizing the cultural heritage in the attempt to attract new citizens and tourists while strengthening the local identity. More specifically SLA will aim to revitalize the surrounding market towns and develop the rural districts to generate a new alternative holiday resort.
The Elephant Area has opened
The new elephant haven of the Copenhagen Zoo was opened on the 10th of June with joy and excitement for both elephants and elefans. The inaugural ceremony of Norman Foster’s elephant house and the garden facility of SLA was performed by HRH the Prince Consort with infant HRH Prince Christian on the arm. On this occasion the Minister for Culture Brian Mikkelsen accentuated in his speech the important branding value of the new facility.
Already the complete housing and landscaping has been titled the best elephant environment in the world.
SLA in international press
The newly opened elephant facilities in the Copenhagen Zoo have received immense attention and the news has reached a large international circle of readers. The joint forces of SLA and Norman Foster to create the perfect environment for the beloved thick-skins have been covered enthusiastically by the daily presses of Denmark and Great Britain plus several architecture forums.
While The Independent focuses on the high quality of the garden being “Ahead of the herd”, The Guardian takes the word of the proud and wrinkly inhabitants: “Wait till you see our swimming pool!” The Danish press writes about the evident well-being of the elephants and refers to the facility as a wellness paradise for the playful and peculiar residents.
Read articles from:
New Zoo project in Helsinki
After the success of the elephant garden in the Copenhagen Zoo, SLA moves forward by participating in the competition of designing the future development of the Korkeasaari Zoo in Helsinki. The zoo is located on an island and the task embraces in addition the adjoining recreational areas as a part of a general revitalisation of the Helsinki waterfront.
The goal of the competition is to turn the area into a recreational attraction in the middle of an urban structure under transformation. SLA is going to produce guidelines for a future master plan that will form the basis of a more detailed design of the zoo, the waterfront and the recreational spots. A new image of the zoo is to be made. - An image that accentuates the unique insular location linked to the mainland with ferry service.
Frederiksberg in Best of Topos
SLA’s urban spaces are featured in a special issue of Topos - The International Review of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design.
“Best of Topos” is a collection of Topos articles from the issues 51-61. As the only realized European urban space Frederiksberg New Urban Spaces are presented in Lisa Diedrich’s eight page article "New Central Open Spaces of Frederiksberg".
Elephants on the loose in Zoo
SLA's landscape has been well received by the animals that play around in the sand and water.
“The project is a huge success and it’s wonderful to look at both the elephants and the visitors who are all smileys”, says vice CEO of Copenhagen Zoo, Bengt Holst, to Danish newspaper Politiken.
SLA has designed the landscape while the elephant’s house is designed by Foster & Partners. The project will be officially opened on June 10th but the elephants can already be admired from the Frederiksberg Garden.
SLA wins 1 st. prize: Frederiks Brygge, CPH
In the competition for designing several urban spaces on the former harbour area of Frederiks Brygge in Copenhagen SLA was awarded winner on April 3rd. The assignment includes a large square on the harbour side and courses of streets and paths.
SLA ’s competing project contains an adaptation of the history of the location in the pursuit to generate a strong sense of spatial identity, and to add a new collective space for the growing urban region of the Copenhagen Sydhavn.
More information to come.
SLA ready to design new urban space in Odense
In the effort to turn the Gråbrødre Plads square in Odense into a “Space in time” the final five teams out of the 35 appliers have been prequalified. In one of the chosen teams SLA joins forces with Lemming & Eriksson engineers.
As a part of the Cultural Strategy of Odense the square is to be rearranged and beautified. The city wishes to focus the urban flows on the square and provide it with new cultural functions.
One of the tasks is to continue the current use of the space as market place, out-side dining area as well as rink for ice skating. At the same time the history of the square should be visualized in the forming of a new and flexible urban space.
The Urban Spaces of Frederiksberg on exhibition
The creation of the new urban spaces of Frederiksberg, Copenhagen gives SLA a special position in new photo exhibition. The locations has been scrutinized with flash and lenses by the two photographers Lise Baltzer and Lotte Bro Barnkob.
The photos depict architectonic details and artistic tinges from anonymous angles, hereby emphasizing the usually unnoticed elements of Frederiksberg. The pictures from dusk or night reveal new moods and atmospheres caused by the subtle lightings.
SLA’s project contribution in Venice popular
SLA took part in a prestigious competition for a new urban space in Venice. An exhibition of the competent inputs was made.
Even though the victory went to Mauro Galantino, SLAs project generated a lot of excitement and was frequently photographed by a curious crowd of spectators. SLA joined forces with Henning Larsen Architects and Autonome Forme from Italy.
All contributions were of high quality. And though the team didn’t take the price, the creation of a shimmering intense piazza and the linking of the different elements were much applauded.
SLA in competition for urban plan of Vordingborg
The Municipality of Vordingborg has issued a competition of new ideas and strategies to create a general urban plan for the town core and the surrounding areas.
In the endeavour to enhance the future development of the town, the total plan is to include a structural plan, a plan for traffic & parking, and a strategy for new and existing buildings. - Plus strategies for general use and embellishment of the town. The competing suggestions are to prove their applicability in proposing solutions for chosen problems and projects.
SLA has been invited to join the competition and form a team with Søren Jensen Consulting Engineers and Otto Anker Nielsen, traffic expert.
SLA takes part in creating the future Kløvermarkskvarter in Copenhagen
In one of the eight competing teams of the project, SLA has been invited as participant to form a visionary and multifunctional Kløvermarkskvarter.
United with 3 RW Arkitekter, Cenergia, Transform Danish Rootzone, 2+1 Idébureau and Peter Stanley, SLA will compete to create a new Kløvermarkskvarter. The challenge is to combine improved sport facilities, cheap housing and recreational areas in the making of a new and unique part of the city.
The zone of the competition embraces the area of Kløverparken. A large field between Kløvermarken and Øresund, that has so far been a restricted area.
Prequalification
SLA has been selected to participate in the parallel commission for a botanical garden in Lindängelund in the outskirts of Malmö.
The master plan will have a flexible and examining nature and will contain both detailed botanical installations and larger recreative areas. The parallel commission will kick off in February.
The photo on the right shows a view into one of the biotopes of the SLA project in the Anchor Park in Malmö.
Webcam from THVS
Follow the construction of Thor Heyerdahl Upper Secondary School on website of the school, where a webcam shows the progress of the construction all through the day.
The project is expected to be completed by the new school year in August 2009.
See webcam (opens in new window)
Community Park North-West in Berlingske Tidende
After the community meeting last week about Community Park North-West, the national news paper Berlingske Tidende has an article about the project today.
In the article project manager Friedemanm Rüter from SLA talks about the many different trees, the poems on the paths and about the unusual lighting in the project.
Charlotte Garden analysed in PhD. Project
The winding grass patches in Charlotte Garden have been evaluated in a new PhD. Project by architect and PhD. Student Camilla Damm van Deurs. In her project she examines the use of out door areas in modern housing and she has made observations in Charlotte Garden among other places.
The residents express that they take pleasure in the view of the grass mosaic of the garden, which changes throughout the year. Camilla Damm van Deurs predict an important role for out door areas in the housing of the future.
Community meeting in Community Park North-West
Wednesday the 16 th of January Copenhagen Municipality and SLA will hold a community meeting about the plans and visions for ‘1001 Tree’, the plan for the new community park in the North-Western part of Copenhagen. Mayor for the Technical and Environmental area Klaus Bondam and SLA’s Stig L. Andersson will unveil the final project proposal.
Wednesday the 16th of January, 7.30-9.30 PM at Kulturhuset Dortheavej 61, Copenhagen NV
Have public spaces become private?
At the first ‘Salon’ of the year at GL STRAND Stig L. Andersson will be debating with ph.d. scholar Mette Mechlenborg and the artists behind "VERANDA":
“This Salon will debate what has happened to our conception of the role of public spaces? Is it more important, nowadays, to be able to get a cup of coffee, than to feel the wind and look at the sky? Is it our homes that have bled into our public spaces or vice versa: Have public spaces flown into our homes as a showroom for our identity?”
Thursday the 10th of January, 5.30 PM.
