Nordic Arctic - new publication from the Jaroslav Fragner Gallery
Sustainable architecture above the Arctic Circle
Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera continues its presentation and exploration of inspiration in Nordic architecture, particularly in issues of sustainability. Currently, it publishes a new Czech-English publication NORDIC ARCTIC / Sustainable Architecture Beyond the Arctic Circle, which was created on the occasion of the eponymous exhibition at the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera presented this autumn. The Norwegian photographer of Czech descent Jiří Havran captures his perspective on architectural and landscape interventions in the Nordic nature. He focuses primarily on the unique Norwegian scenic routes and the specific area of Svalbard, but also on Iceland and Greenland. The one hundred sixty-page catalog includes essays by Dan Merta, Zdeněk Lyčka, and Peter Hemmersam. Texts dedicated to the European Arctic are accompanied by photographs of exceptional projects and realizations by renowned Nordic architectural studios, whose implementations focus not only on aesthetic quality but also on sensitive integration into nature, advanced technologies, and a low carbon footprint.
Authors Jiří Havran, Dan Merta
Editors Klára Pučerová, Dan Merta
Texts Dan Merta, Peter Hemmersam, Zdeněk Lyčka
Language Editing Jana Palacká
Translation Vít Zelinka
Graphic Design Anna Gutová
Technical Cooperation Roman Souček
Printing Akontext, s. r. o.
First Edition Prague 2022
ISBN 978-80-88161-19-6
Number of Pages 160
Format 240×290 mm
Price 490 CZK
One of the fundamental motives of the book is the ever-strengthening discussion about the role of sustainable architecture in the context of adaptation to climate change, offering exemplary cases both in terms of environmental sustainability and in relation to the increasing influx of tourists to exposed landscape areas. It presents possible strategies of professional institutions in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, or Denmark. A notable example is the unique system of cooperation among experts from many fields with Norwegian and international architects during the long-term project of National Scenic Routes (www.nasjonaleturistveger.no). Creativity and innovation with a humble approach to the exposed landscape material have become a model for other countries (including Iceland) in creating tourist infrastructure while protecting exceptional landscape units.
Another aspect, alongside tourist infrastructure, is the examples of larger buildings that play a significant role as cultural and social centers in the Scandinavian Arctic and are epicenters of social life in settlements beyond the Arctic Circle. We can mention the Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk, the Sarakulturhus in Skellefteå, UNIS – University Centre in Svalbard, or Hof Cultural & Conference Centre in Akureyri. In a broader scope, the city known as the "Paris of the North" or "Gateway to the Arctic" is Tromsø, home to the world's northernmost university, which exemplifies cultural and social infrastructure that engages in dialogue with historical references, including the revitalization of former docks and other industrial sites. The second presented urban entity is Longyearbyen, the capital of the Svalbard archipelago, with its mining tradition and transformation due to Arctic research, as well as tourist expeditions that are shaping the new face of the city. Jiří Havran also captured the unique architectural atmosphere of the former Russian mining town of Pyramiden, allowing us to return to times not so long ago.
The publication presents innovative realizations and projects that showcase a wide range of architectural concepts from leading Scandinavian studios – BIG / Bjarke Ingels Group, Dorte Mandrup, Henning Larsen, Snøhetta, White Arkitekter, Jensen & Skodvin Architects, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Rintala Eggertsson Architects, or Einar Jarmund & Co, among others. Many of these buildings and structures have received various awards and have become fundamental portfolios for professional discussions across scientific fields and institutions, including universities. However, among the architects of these buildings are also world-famous figures such as Steven Holl and Peter Zumthor.
Photographer Jiří Havran has lived in Norway since 1974 and has been engaged in architectural photography since 1989. In addition to his creative work and artistic projects in Norway and abroad, he has published around forty publications through his publishing house ARFO. He exhibited in the City Gallery in his hometown Teplice (1991) and at the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera in Prague (2012, exhibition and publication from architecture). He has been collaborating with GJF on projects dedicated to Nordic architecture, art, and sustainability (Artscape Norway, Artscape Iceland).
Dan Merta
Art historian and aesthetician. Since 2001, he has led the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera with an emphasis on current trends, sustainability, and public space. In 2014, he founded the annual several-month-long Landscape Festival dedicated to art, architecture, and landscape architecture in urban landscapes. He is co-author of several exhibitions and documents on Nordic architecture (Artscape Norway, The Land of Frosty Views, Artscape Iceland, etc.).
Zdeněk Lyčka
Diplomat, polar explorer, and translator of Nordic and Anglo-American literature. He served as the director of the Czech Centre in Stockholm and as the Czech Republic's ambassador to Denmark. In 2018, he founded the Arctic Festival / Festival of Arctic and Czech Culture and Science, which alternately takes place in Scandinavia and the Czech Republic.
Peter Hemmersam
Professor of urbanism, he works at the Institute of Urbanism and Landscape Design at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, where he also leads the Center for Urban and Landscape Studies. He is the author of the recently published book Making The Arctic City: the History and Future of Urbanism in the Circumpolar North.
The project NORDIC ARCTIC / Sustainable Architecture Beyond the Arctic Circle, which includes an exhibition, student workshop, lectures, and a new publication, is based on the long-term strategy of the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera and the Architectura Association in seeking ways to utilize contemporary architecture as a significant factor in preserving the quality of exposed landscapes or public spaces in urban structures. It follows projects related to ecological architecture and the involvement of art in enhancing urban public spaces, which have been previously prepared in collaboration with partners from Scandinavia (e.g., Artscape Norway, Artscape Iceland, Arctic Nordic Alpine – In Dialogue with Landscape), supported by EEA and Norway funds. A very important aspect of this activity is seeking appropriate tools for discussion about sustainable tourism within the framework of the circular economy.
On November 24, 2022, the book was launched at the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera by the honorary consul of Iceland JUDr. Klára Dvořáková, founder of the Center for Polar Ecology at JČU and the Josef Svoboda Station in Svalbard, Professor Josef Elster, director of the Around the World Festival Karel Wolf, and photographer Filip Šlapal.
The book features realizations and projects by architects: 70°N arkitektur • a-lab Architects • Andersen & Sigurdsson Architects • ARKÍS architects • Arkitema Architects • Asplan Viak • Basalt Architects • Bjarke Ingels Group / BIG • Biotope Architects • Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk • Code arkitektur • Div.A Arkitekter • Dorte Mandrup • Einar Jarmund & Co • Filter Arkitekter • Friis & Moltke • Grete Smedal • Hamperokken Arkitektur • Henning Larsen • HRTB Architects • Jacob Hansen • Jensen & Skodvin Architects • Joar Nango • Kimmo Aslak Liimatainen • Landskapsfabrikken – Inge Dahlman • Lo:Le Architects • LPO Arkitekter • Manthey Kula Architects • Martin Henriksen • Michael Sailstorfer • MORFEUS arkitekter • Narud Stokke Wiig • Nordplan • Østengen & Bergo • Peter W. Soderman • Peter Zumthor & Partner • PUSHAK • Ralph Erskine • Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter • Rintala Eggertsson Architects • Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects • Skapa Architects • Snøhetta • Snorre Stinessen Architecture • Space Group • Stein Halvorsen Arkitekter • Steinsvik Arkitektkontor • Steven Holl Architects • Studio Granda • Tham & Videgård Arkitekter • tnt nuuk • Tupelo Arkitektur • TYIN tegnestue Architects • Uffe Black Nielsen • Vardehaugen Arkitekter • Vigsnæs+Kosberg++Arkitekter • Vulkan Arkitekter • White Arkitekter • Ydda Arkitektar
and artists: Louise Bourgeois • Inghild Karlsen • Waltercio Caldas • Per Kirkeby • Dan Graham • Toshitatsu Endo • Per Barclay
The project was held under the auspices of the Minister for European Affairs doc. PhDr. Mikuláš Bek, Ph.D.
The book was published with the support of the EEA and Norway Funds, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in the Czech Republic, and in cooperation with the Argo Publishing House.
Media partners include the Arctic and Czech Culture and Science Festival and the Around the World Travel Festival.
Authors Jiří Havran, Dan Merta
Editors Klára Pučerová, Dan Merta
Texts Dan Merta, Peter Hemmersam, Zdeněk Lyčka
Language Editing Jana Palacká
Translation Vít Zelinka
Graphic Design Anna Gutová
Technical Cooperation Roman Souček
Printing Akontext, s. r. o.
First Edition Prague 2022
ISBN 978-80-88161-19-6
Number of Pages 160
Format 240×290 mm
Price 490 CZK
One of the fundamental motives of the book is the ever-strengthening discussion about the role of sustainable architecture in the context of adaptation to climate change, offering exemplary cases both in terms of environmental sustainability and in relation to the increasing influx of tourists to exposed landscape areas. It presents possible strategies of professional institutions in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, or Denmark. A notable example is the unique system of cooperation among experts from many fields with Norwegian and international architects during the long-term project of National Scenic Routes (www.nasjonaleturistveger.no). Creativity and innovation with a humble approach to the exposed landscape material have become a model for other countries (including Iceland) in creating tourist infrastructure while protecting exceptional landscape units.
Another aspect, alongside tourist infrastructure, is the examples of larger buildings that play a significant role as cultural and social centers in the Scandinavian Arctic and are epicenters of social life in settlements beyond the Arctic Circle. We can mention the Katuaq Culture Centre in Nuuk, the Sarakulturhus in Skellefteå, UNIS – University Centre in Svalbard, or Hof Cultural & Conference Centre in Akureyri. In a broader scope, the city known as the "Paris of the North" or "Gateway to the Arctic" is Tromsø, home to the world's northernmost university, which exemplifies cultural and social infrastructure that engages in dialogue with historical references, including the revitalization of former docks and other industrial sites. The second presented urban entity is Longyearbyen, the capital of the Svalbard archipelago, with its mining tradition and transformation due to Arctic research, as well as tourist expeditions that are shaping the new face of the city. Jiří Havran also captured the unique architectural atmosphere of the former Russian mining town of Pyramiden, allowing us to return to times not so long ago.
The publication presents innovative realizations and projects that showcase a wide range of architectural concepts from leading Scandinavian studios – BIG / Bjarke Ingels Group, Dorte Mandrup, Henning Larsen, Snøhetta, White Arkitekter, Jensen & Skodvin Architects, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Rintala Eggertsson Architects, or Einar Jarmund & Co, among others. Many of these buildings and structures have received various awards and have become fundamental portfolios for professional discussions across scientific fields and institutions, including universities. However, among the architects of these buildings are also world-famous figures such as Steven Holl and Peter Zumthor.
Photographer Jiří Havran has lived in Norway since 1974 and has been engaged in architectural photography since 1989. In addition to his creative work and artistic projects in Norway and abroad, he has published around forty publications through his publishing house ARFO. He exhibited in the City Gallery in his hometown Teplice (1991) and at the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera in Prague (2012, exhibition and publication from architecture). He has been collaborating with GJF on projects dedicated to Nordic architecture, art, and sustainability (Artscape Norway, Artscape Iceland).
Dan Merta
Art historian and aesthetician. Since 2001, he has led the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera with an emphasis on current trends, sustainability, and public space. In 2014, he founded the annual several-month-long Landscape Festival dedicated to art, architecture, and landscape architecture in urban landscapes. He is co-author of several exhibitions and documents on Nordic architecture (Artscape Norway, The Land of Frosty Views, Artscape Iceland, etc.).
Zdeněk Lyčka
Diplomat, polar explorer, and translator of Nordic and Anglo-American literature. He served as the director of the Czech Centre in Stockholm and as the Czech Republic's ambassador to Denmark. In 2018, he founded the Arctic Festival / Festival of Arctic and Czech Culture and Science, which alternately takes place in Scandinavia and the Czech Republic.
Peter Hemmersam
Professor of urbanism, he works at the Institute of Urbanism and Landscape Design at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, where he also leads the Center for Urban and Landscape Studies. He is the author of the recently published book Making The Arctic City: the History and Future of Urbanism in the Circumpolar North.
The project NORDIC ARCTIC / Sustainable Architecture Beyond the Arctic Circle, which includes an exhibition, student workshop, lectures, and a new publication, is based on the long-term strategy of the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera and the Architectura Association in seeking ways to utilize contemporary architecture as a significant factor in preserving the quality of exposed landscapes or public spaces in urban structures. It follows projects related to ecological architecture and the involvement of art in enhancing urban public spaces, which have been previously prepared in collaboration with partners from Scandinavia (e.g., Artscape Norway, Artscape Iceland, Arctic Nordic Alpine – In Dialogue with Landscape), supported by EEA and Norway funds. A very important aspect of this activity is seeking appropriate tools for discussion about sustainable tourism within the framework of the circular economy.
On November 24, 2022, the book was launched at the Galerie Jaroslava Fragnera by the honorary consul of Iceland JUDr. Klára Dvořáková, founder of the Center for Polar Ecology at JČU and the Josef Svoboda Station in Svalbard, Professor Josef Elster, director of the Around the World Festival Karel Wolf, and photographer Filip Šlapal.
The book features realizations and projects by architects: 70°N arkitektur • a-lab Architects • Andersen & Sigurdsson Architects • ARKÍS architects • Arkitema Architects • Asplan Viak • Basalt Architects • Bjarke Ingels Group / BIG • Biotope Architects • Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk • Code arkitektur • Div.A Arkitekter • Dorte Mandrup • Einar Jarmund & Co • Filter Arkitekter • Friis & Moltke • Grete Smedal • Hamperokken Arkitektur • Henning Larsen • HRTB Architects • Jacob Hansen • Jensen & Skodvin Architects • Joar Nango • Kimmo Aslak Liimatainen • Landskapsfabrikken – Inge Dahlman • Lo:Le Architects • LPO Arkitekter • Manthey Kula Architects • Martin Henriksen • Michael Sailstorfer • MORFEUS arkitekter • Narud Stokke Wiig • Nordplan • Østengen & Bergo • Peter W. Soderman • Peter Zumthor & Partner • PUSHAK • Ralph Erskine • Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter • Rintala Eggertsson Architects • Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects • Skapa Architects • Snøhetta • Snorre Stinessen Architecture • Space Group • Stein Halvorsen Arkitekter • Steinsvik Arkitektkontor • Steven Holl Architects • Studio Granda • Tham & Videgård Arkitekter • tnt nuuk • Tupelo Arkitektur • TYIN tegnestue Architects • Uffe Black Nielsen • Vardehaugen Arkitekter • Vigsnæs+Kosberg++Arkitekter • Vulkan Arkitekter • White Arkitekter • Ydda Arkitektar
and artists: Louise Bourgeois • Inghild Karlsen • Waltercio Caldas • Per Kirkeby • Dan Graham • Toshitatsu Endo • Per Barclay
The project was held under the auspices of the Minister for European Affairs doc. PhDr. Mikuláš Bek, Ph.D.
The book was published with the support of the EEA and Norway Funds, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in the Czech Republic, and in cooperation with the Argo Publishing House.
Media partners include the Arctic and Czech Culture and Science Festival and the Around the World Travel Festival.
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
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