WHY?
I have never been to Manchester, but I’ve heard it is a place where a lot of new ideas are born. Manchester has a history of economic difficulties and a situation that requires solutions in urban dimensions. The MSA takes such aspects, urban planning and also ecological design, into account in teaching. I think interdisciplinary strategies is a condition for innovative architecture, as well as for solving the challenges urban life faces today. That, in combination with the fact that the school is extremely high ranked, makes me want to study at the MSA.
REVIEW
I recently visited Antigone just by the center of Montpellier, France. The area was built completely from scratch by Ricardo Bofill. All buildings in the Antigone area are inspired by ancient greece aesthetics; light coloured facades and decorative pillars express simple grandness made into affordable housing. Although all buildings follow the same visual style I did not perceive the area as too repetitive. Every courtyard and public space between the buildings is different due to the irregular pattern of houses. Children playing and people relaxing on terraces confirmed the successful development of the communal spaces. To me, the area appeared as lively. However, as I could not visit the interior of the houses I don’t have any picture of what living inside them might be like, but I noticed the windows were quite small.
FAVOURITE
I don’t have any favourite building, but there is a building I often visit and that I do highly appreciate. The public library of Gothenburg was recently renovated to create more space. The previous library building is still included in the wholeness, but exterior glass facades have been added to expand the it. I like the idea of using available resources to satisfy new needs and think it has been well-adapted in the library. Since the renovation was completed the library is more frequently visited, which I think is a sign of a successful reshaping of a building to allow it to better fulfill its purpose.
WOULD LIKE TO VISIT
A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon pictures of a courtyard situated between high walls in pink and blue. I immediately searched for more information about the building, and it turned out to be called Walden 7 and situated outside of Barcelona in Spain. Ricardo Bofill and his team designed it during the seventies. Except for being startling, with its brutal exterior facades and playful courtyards, the building also includes a large amount of communal surfaces. I think successful communal spaces are crucial for the development of a trustful atmosphere. I can’t wait for an opportunity to visit the building and both admire its firm beauty and consider its social role.
