Jan 7, 2021
by
Jacqueline Spafford and Mark Hinchman, av福利社ARA Co-Editors
This month’s av福利社ARA Highlights are but a glimpse into the treasure trove of modern architecture from the Nordic region. The hallmarks of Scandinavian design of the last hundred years—harmony with natural surroundings, appreciation of the climate, innovative use of natural light, experimentation with new materials, clean lines—are all well represented in the rich content. The collection includes structures from the 1920s to the 1950s that presage the design revolution, iconic and lesser-known mid-century examples, and groundbreaking designs from the last few decades. Please visit av福利社ARA to see more content that illustrates the elegance of design and harmony with the environment characteristic of the Scandinavian vision, and to read our contributors’ thoughtful commentaries. And do consider contributing your own images to this rich collection.
To see more av福利社ARA content:
To learn more about contributing, visit: sah.org/publications-and-research/sahara

Tham Videgård, School of Architecture, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 2015. Photograph by Christina Pech, 2016.

Jan Ingle Hovig, Ishavskatedralen (Arctic Cathedral, or Tromsdalen Church), Tromsø, Norway, 1965. Photograph by Lara Otis, 2012.

Alvar Aalto, Courtyard of Muuratsalo Experimental House, Säynätsalo, Finland, 1952-1953. Photograph by Sandy Isenstadt, 2004.

Snøhetta, Oslo Opera House, Oslo, Norway, 2008. Photograph by Susannah Cramer-Greenbaum, 2018.

Erik Gunnar Asplund, View of upper rotunda galleries in the Stockholm City Library, Stockholm, Sweden, 1921-1932. Photograph by Jasper Cepl, 2012.

Sverre Fehn, Villa Holme, Holmsbu, Norway, 1975. Photograph by Charles Rice, 2007.

Ture Wennerholm and Gert B. Wingårdh, Telefonplan, Stockholm, Sweden, 1934-1948. Built as the Ericsson factory headquarters and worker housing, and used until their relocation in 2003; now part of the Swedish University College of Arts. Photograph by Sarah Rovang, 2019.

Jørn Utzon, Housing in Fredensborg, Denmark, 1962-1963. Photograph by Eduard Koegel, 2010.

Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, Grundtvigs Kirke, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1921-1940. The modern expressionist structure, clad in local yellow brick, is a monument to Danish philosopher, pastor, politician, writer and poet N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783-1872). Photograph by Sarah Rovang, 2019.

Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykjavík, Iceland, 2011. Photograph by Danielle S. Willkens, 2016.