A0 - Personal Manifesto

Manifesto

Starting at Aarhus School of Architecture gave me a different approach towards architecture in general. I suddenly started seeing and looking at my context in a special way. I started becoming aware of things and details that normally just had passed my eyes as a matter of course. I started seeing architecture.

Looking out my window from fourth floor, seeing the roofs of Aarhus, confirms me in architecture is manifold. Every shape and structure tells a different story. A story I would like to be the creator of. The story I create should not just be about four walls, a door, and a window. I want more.

I like the interaction between nature and building. I want more of that. The building, wherever it is situated, should not separate itself from the nature, it should instead relate much more. It is most of all the aesthetic expression and sensuous part of the nature that fascinates me. The interaction between nature and building peaks when time passes and the building gets abandoned and left unmaintained for ages. What is left is a trace of a former building hidden under the plants and trees that has twisted their way in and out the old building. This is a romantic scene of the ultimate interaction. But, however, the essence of this scene should be transferred into architecture. See for instance classics as Fallingwater and Farnsworth.

I have always desired to create something that gives contentment - not only through function, but also trough expression. I want to make people wonder and ask question. Not everything has to be traditional.

Still, a building has to be functional in many specific ways. Function is determined by the user, but in corporation with the architect the term functional should be challenged. What is functional and how far can we push it to open up for new solutions. It is important to constantly challenge the former and old-fashioned ways of thinking. Without any breath of fresh air, architecture never evolve. Never the less, it is still of great importance to remember the history of architecture. Traditional ways of thinking is all right and sometimes it is necessary to solve a problem. But to fulfill your own desires of constantly evolving and learning new things, you have to seek and accept challenges. Accepting challenges will not always be easy and straightforward but I believe that through intense work, obstinacy, and joint effort, the answer will even appear to the most tricky assignment. Hard work pays off in the end. New knowledge and experiences can always be added to an always growing index.

An opening can be many things.

An opening reveals a bit of a whole on the other side. An opening invites you to enter. An opening lets in light. An opening allows you to watch the outside. An opening can express identity. An opening exposes privacy. An opening frames a view. An opening takes you from this side to the other. An opening can be defined by materials. And opening can be sensed.

An opening can be whatever you want it to be...

When researching and working with openings, the spectra of different functions, shapes, and expressions keeps increasing as if there is no limitation to the subject. A constant flow of new experiences and discoveries. You will always learn something new.

Approach the opening with an open mind and heart. If you are willing to learn, you will get taught.