WEEK SIX

European

Experience

of Architecture

By Jeremiah Johnson

Europe—a place of wondrous bustle and grey weather—delivers an air of respect. Europe arises from the caldron of time rivaling a vast history of architectural achievements. The eclectic yet contextual city of Lille France sits nestled deep within the border between Flemish and French life. This contrast bears name in design. The influence of this architecture through France or greater Europe is simple. Instituted by some meandering colonist experience becomes significant. From the grand Cathedrals to the tiny hovels, each holds dear a meaning. This meaning speaks to the audience. This experience is desirable and lovely. All structures speak profoundly.

European Architecture is excessively lively when it comes to experience. I find it hard to grasp the experience with a camera even though I have photographed most my life. The buildings ask for touch, feeling and a physical presence to bring me to life. There is no common way to separate the building and the experience; you must be present. Only mere thoughts can begin to allow others to see my connection with the architecture.

Try now to immerge with the structures: listen to the words and focus on the photos. Try to bring the experience to life.

1

The Cathedral is a vision of the greatest efficacy. It stands looming above the diminutive organism faithfully prostrate below. Light enters plucking the crowd towards the heavens. The filtering stain glass windows elucidate each icon. The stone stays permanent. The texture cradles hands softly contacting the material. All is in harmony and rhythm. This experience is unobtainable apart from the event. Being physically present allows a mental presence to originate a memory.

2

The detail beacons the audience to notice

Colour stands out longingly for one to enjoy

The material breaths deeply

The texture grasps heavily

Each experience is defined by minute details

3

I feel however, that we architects have a special duty and mission... (to contribute) to the socio-cultural development of architecture and urban planning.

Kenzo Tange

Europe is vast and heavily laden with architecture. To be apart from it delivers little to the mind and body. Trying to build upon knowledge only found through books is difficult and abstracting. An experience in studying architecture is a grand fostering of the greatest knowledge to be obtained. Only through a European experience may one find themselves ripe for the taking.

Viewing Obtuse Art in Architecture and Photography http://somethingobtuse.blogspot.com/

"Since arriving in Europe, almost a month and a half ago now, I feel as if I now have a new home here in Lille as well as a new addiction to travel. Thanks to Ryanair, and the Eurail system I have been able to visit Barcelona, Amsterdam, Bruge, Brussels, Budapest, Paris, Stockholm, and Helsinki thus far. Although the locations of these cities vary greatly within the European Union I have seen strong similarities in urban design characteristics, culture and architectural features.

My trip last weekend took me to the beautiful cities of Brussels, Stockholm and Helsinki, and it may have been my best trip to date. Six of us decided to make the trek north and we were lucky enough to fit Brussels into the mix before flying out of Belgium the following morning. Brussels is an incredibly lively and vibrant city with the smell of waffles around almost every corner along with a plethora of some of the best beer I have ever tasted. Besides the food and beer the urban context of Brussels is one of the main features I admired most. The city offered an incredible main square as well as a hilltop vantage point with some of the best views of the city.

We flew out of Brussels early Friday morning arriving in Stockholm only two hours later. Stockholm was much colder than Belgium but when riding the bus through the city it had a striking resemblance to one of my favorite Minnesota cities, Duluth. We only had a short amount of time to explore the city before leaving for Helsinki but thankfully we got to stop and eat one of my dream foods, Swedish meatballs…which were in fact the most delicious meatballs I have ever tasted. With full stomachs we made our journey to the port of Stockholm and boarded a cruise ship that took us through the night to Helsinki. The cruise ship itself was a city all on its own with a vast age range as well as some truly interesting people but that’s a whole other blog post.

Arriving in Helsinki on Saturday morning was similar to waking up in Fargo after a night long blizzard. The port where our ship was docked was completely filled with ice and very little water could be seen. We snapped a couple pictures, put our hats on and hoped on a tour bus that took us through the snow covered city. The only unfortunate part of the bus tour was the heavily overcast sky making visibility in the distance difficult. We got to visit the one of the main churches in Helsinki which was a Lutheran church overlooking the port and on a clear day to the islands across the bay. We then made our way to an attraction we were all ecstatic to see Temppeliaukio Kirkko or as we knew it ‘Rock Church’. From the outside there was basically nothing to see but two copper doors. As soon as the doors opened the main sanctuary was visible and it was an incredible sight to see. We all quickly went in and after about 50 pictures and sermon by Dustin we had to head back to the bus to continue our tour. Overall Helsinki had an incredible amount to offer for being so small and it is a place I would love to visit again especially during the summer months.

Overall the trip was one I will certainly never forget and I would head back to either city in a heartbeat. I am so thankful for the opportunities that this European adventure has given me and I can’t wait to see what’s to come!"  - Grant Koenig