March 29th, 2007
Cornices of Montreal
Various neighbourhoods, all residential buildings. A sequel to this earlier Mile End collection.
2 comments See also in
Architecture, Heritage and Preservation
October 4th, 2006
And On the Sixth Day…
Short Street, Manchester
“Chavchester”
4 comments See also in
Architecture, Europe
October 1st, 2006
Bleak, Whimsical Reykjavik
Located on the edge of the arctic circle, Iceland’s capital has an undeniable intrigue. Populated by only 100,000 residents, Reykjavik feels as if it has the arts scene of a much larger city. Icelandic cinema, music and literature is brilliant and unique, treading the line between playful whimsy and apocalyptic bleakness. This is not unlike Reykjavik itself. “There is nothing to do in Iceland,” said a woman explaining her country to me, “so we make music or we have sex with each other all the time.”
Reykjavik’s urban layout and architecture is similar to other Scandinavian cities, with a twist. The Norwegian fisherman’s hut is reproduced everywhere, but here it’s clad with sheets of corrugated metal. This building material, usually seen in third-world shantytowns, is painted with bright colours and given a chic spin through clever use of Scandinavian design. A streetscape of such houses is quaint, but there always seems to be an austere Stalinist building at the end to provide a crushing perspective on the quaintness. Take a tour and see for yourself.
2 comments See also in
Architecture, Europe, Society and Culture
