Superkilen street

Urban in Architecture 

Democratic Architecture is that part of society that helps explore opportunities and binds us in unity. An art blend with science where imagination meets reality. This exposure and adventure are experienced by every one of us. As a professional designer, a responsibility to provide shelter and an obligation to look after the planet. One that’s fit into all these roles and proves himself worthy is an Architect. A set of skills, books of knowledge, and the ability to imagine have been passed on for generations to fit into this one role around the globe. 

People are the most important part and active factor of society. One that caters to the culture automatically functions for the people in it too. Part of architecture that ultimately deals with the benefit of the mob and implements design on a larger scale comes under the Urban insert. As the scale boundaries widen, affecting and dependent factors also add up. Here one must not think about a single person, family, or just a colony. But broaden the perspective and include every last visitor across the globe. The insert will not only facilitate the structure present but also invites opportunities for social gatherings. 

Define Insert

Urban insert looks beyond the territories and limitations. The endless use and functioning with thoughtful planning entitled to people around. The Urban insert is a concept that can be molded into any shape or size. It need not be definite or tangible. The experience and involvement of the mob are considered at the prime station. The whole attention to detail and facilities are oriented in the direction to comfort the visitors. Planning for one or ten people can be difficult but considering new visitors every day is the most challenging.

Any insert will add value to the surrounding structures and complement the microclimate around them. Urban planning levels up the value of the region which also contributes to the travel and tourism industry. An insert will certainly attract a crowd and attention once placed and designed in a well-planned manner. This initiative brings people of the adjacent area tighter than before with the addition of visitors and retailers. The difference in cultures is based on geographic factors as well and certainly, culture unites people and does not divide them. Insert creates an open platform that invites and accommodates a variety of people and shares their experiences and knowledge. 

The Dreamer

Bjarke Ingles, a Danish-born architect who dreamt of becoming a cartoonist along the journey. After pursuing architecture to work on sketching skills, he decided to continue the journey. The creative mind was nurtured and sculpted under the shadow of Rem Koolhaas. After working under the master architect, and a few more experiences he decided to start his firm BIG. With 60 employment strengths, the team is building unique and never-seen-before structures on the map of the world. Building not only challenges reality but is also well-panned in case of services and amenities are constructed over the years. 

The project was taken on by the Bjarke Ingles team as a test of public engagement, in association with the Berlin-based landscape designers Topotek 1 and the Danish collective of artists Superflex. The collaboration was assembled to give justice to each parameter of the project equal justice and attention to detail. The project of Superkilen was a combination of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban insert; all these factors were equally important to execute the project beneficial to the mass. The project is spread across 27000 square meters of land and focused on pedestrians and social gatherings. 

Democratic Architecture: for people by people 

Democracy can also be implemented in terms of architecture and not only governance. If the structure is meant for the people situated around it, then they can have the word in the design which they will be using for the rest of the time. The potential of the resources available to you must be critically analyzed and used in the process. An urban street is not a habitable space but more based on experiential architecture. One where a part of the crowd will be crossing it daily, some will be visiting periodically and the rest will make a way out of their daily path to experience this. 

People were considered and surveyed for this project. They were asked to shortlist the things or apparatus which they miss from their homeland. As result, the form was left with a long list of items across the globe with their specifics and nationality-based desires. But as a responsible designer one has to look for those which will complement the design as well as enhance the experience. Intentionally placing those items on the street without making it crowdy but observed worked out for the project. No one can complete a wish list of all the people, boundary applies to the architect too. Therefore, the choices of instruments and art were keen factors in the overall design impact of the project. 

Thought and Execution  

Instead of maintaining a mummified perception of a homogeneous Denmark, this kind of absurdist collection of urban diversity from around the world captures the true character of the residential suburb. Superkilen is a half-mile-long urban area that runs through one of Denmark’s most ethnically and socially diverse areas. Its main concept is that it is designed to be a sizable exhibition of urban benchmarks, a collection of 60 different nationalities’ worth of locals’ discovered artifacts from around the world.

Encompassing everything from gym equipment from Muscle Beach in Los Angeles to Israeli sewage drains, Chinese palm palms, and Russian and Qatari neon signs. Each object has a tiny stainless-steel plate embedded in the ground that describes it, what it is, and where it came from in both Danish and the language(s) of its origin. 

A recurring topic in gardens over time is the relocation of an ideal or the recreation of another location, such as a remote environment. Chinese people use small pebbles to represent mountain ranges, Japanese people use wavy gravel to represent the ocean, and English people use Greek ruins as examples in their gardens. A modern, urbanized version of a universal garden is called Superkilen. The park Superkilen promotes diversity. It is an international display of furniture and daily items from all over the world, including benches, lampposts, trash cans, and plants—essential elements of any modern park that the park’s intended audience helped choose. Superkilen redistributes the historical garden motif. 

3 stations one journey – Red, Black, and Green

The Red Zone

The red zone is intended to complement the athletic and cultural events held in the Nrrembrohall Sports Center. A carpet-like mosaic made of various materials with reddish tones extends from the ground and folds up toward the side walls of the buildings. This Red Square transforms into a neighborhood market on the weekends, drawing people from both the city’s core and outskirts.

The Red Square is seen as an urban spillover of the core life of the Norrebrohall as a complement to the sporting and cultural events held there. Locals can interact with one another through regular activities and games thanks to a variety of recreational opportunities and the spacious center square. As the surface blends both internally and externally in the new foyer, the colored surface is merged with the Norrebrohall and its contemporary main entrance in terms of both colors and substance.

Facades are included aesthetically into the project by conceptually folding upwards following the hue of the surface, giving the viewer a sense of depth. Visitors can enjoy the sun’s rays with a view from an elevated open area by the large facade facing Norrebrogade. This area is almost like a tribune. Along with housing cultural and sporting venues, Red Square also serves as the backdrop for an urban sit-out mall that draws weekend tourists from Denmark and the surrounding areas.

The Black Zone 

The Black Square is where Superkilen’s action takes place. This area is transformed into an outdoor living room where neighbors may congregate around the Moroccan fountain or play games like chess. permanent tables, Turkish benches, or barbecue places. The flowing white lines on the black pavement indicate the square’s direction and wind around any obstructions that may be in the path.

The center of the Superkilen Strategic framework is Mimers Plads. The Moroccan fountain, Turkish bench, and Japanese cherry trees serve as an extension of the patio area where the locals congregate. Permanent tables, seats, and grill facilities support the urban playroom hosting dice, chess, and other game players during the workweek. By partially resolving the height disparity issue towards Midgaardsgade and enabling a bike lane between Hotherplads and the crossover bike path connection, the bike traffic is shifted towards the east side of the Square. A hill with a view over the area and its activity is to the north and faces south.

The Green Zone 

The third section, Green Park, features hills and flat areas that are used for recreation, including picnics, sunbathing, and badminton. This also responds to a previous demand from area residents who wanted to see more green spaces. Superkilen is a place that was created by and for the neighbors, who were involved in all of the design-stage decisions.

Children, teens, and families are drawn to Green Park’s activities by its gentle hills and terrain. a green setting with a field where families with kids can get together for outings, sunbathing, and grassy breaks, but also be involved in sports. One can always kick a ball with others, no matter where you’re from, what you believe, or which language you speak. The original hockey field with a basketball court incorporated was moved to Green Park for this reason, since it will serve as a natural gathering spot for young folks from Mjolnerpark and the nearby school.

Urban response 

After the completion of any project, the result is always based on the acceptance and customs of the end user. Once delivered the part and portion of the designer do not end, but the evaluation practice starts. The participation of the people, their needs, and feedback must be considered and incorporated into the changes. Design is never completely done; it evolves through the changes and responses of the people. Ultimately making a provision and impacting upon generations through a medium are two different things. 

Involving the user and stakeholders in the process was a unique initiative taken by the designer. In the end, one can notice the impact and benefit of this process. The three colored zones planned one after the other connecting the linkages give an experiential lookout for the city. Play of color, material choices, and street furniture have combinedly made their way to the top. The benchmark is set for others and a cityscape gesture for generations to explore.