Sverre Fehn and the City: Rethinking Architecture's Urban Premises

This book explores ten select projects by Pritzker Laureate Sverre Fehn to understand his approach to the city, the embodiment of his thinking in his designs, and the broader lessons they offer for better understanding the relationship between architecture and urban life. Fehn offered an uncommon and vibrant approach to urbanism at the scale of the single architectural project, challenging large-scale planning proposals and advocating for a reinvigorated engagement with the city.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Sverre Fehn, a Pritzker Laureate known for his extensive urban attentions, has yet to be fully explored. This book delves into ten select projects to shed light on Fehn's approach to the city, the manifestation of his thinking in his designs, and the broader lessons these endeavors offer for understanding the relationship between architecture and urban life. With significant implications for emerging urban architecture and its response to sociological and ecological crises, this exploration will deepen our understanding of an architect pivotal to significant developments in late modernism.

Fehn approached urbanism with a unique and vibrant perspective, shying away from large-scale planning proposals and the erasure of existing urban patterns. Instead, he offered an uncommon approach to urbanism at the scale of individual architectural projects. His writings, constructed buildings, competition entries, and lectures provide opportunities for revitalizing architecture's engagement with the city and provoke a reevaluation of fundamental concepts in its theorization.

The book's scope extends beyond the exploration of Fehn's work, encompassing broader aims: a comprehensive understanding of architecture's urban promise. By delving into the nature of urbanity, the relationship between urbanity and the natural world, and the role of architecture in providing and sustaining urban life, this book aims to expand our knowledge and appreciation of architecture's potential to shape and enhance urban environments.

Fehn's approach to urbanism was characterized by a deep respect for the city's existing fabric and a commitment to preserving its character. He believed that architecture should be integrated into the existing urban landscape rather than imposed on it. His designs often showcased a harmonious blend of modernist principles and traditional urban elements, creating spaces that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

One of Fehn's most notable projects is the Oslo Opera House, which was completed in 1977. The building is a masterpiece of modernist architecture, featuring a sleek and minimalist design that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding urban landscape. The opera house's iconic roof, made of white concrete tiles, reflects the city's maritime heritage and creates a striking visual impact.

Fehn's approach to urbanism extended beyond individual buildings. He was also involved in urban planning and regeneration projects, advocating for sustainable and livable cities. He believed that architecture should be designed with the needs of the people in mind, and that it should contribute to the social and economic well-being of the communities it serves.

Fehn's writings and lectures provide valuable insights into his approach to urbanism. He emphasized the importance of human scale and the relationship between buildings and the street, advocating for a more pedestrian-friendly urban environment. He also stressed the importance of preserving the existing cultural heritage and integrating it into new architectural designs.

Fehn's work has had a lasting impact on the field of architecture and urbanism. His emphasis on the integration of architecture with the urban landscape, his commitment to sustainable design, and his belief in the power of architecture to shape and enhance urban life have inspired generations of architects and urban planners.

In conclusion, Sverre Fehn's urban attentions are extensive, yet largely unexplored. This book offers a comprehensive examination of ten select projects to shed light on Fehn's approach to the city, the embodiment of his thinking in his designs, and the broader lessons these endeavors offer for understanding the relationship between architecture and urban life. With significant implications for emerging urban architecture and its response to sociological and ecological crises, this exploration will deepen our understanding of an architect pivotal to significant developments in late modernism. Fehn's unique and vibrant perspective on urbanism, characterized by a deep respect for the city's existing fabric and a commitment to preserving its character, has had a lasting impact on the field of architecture and urbanism. His writings, constructed buildings, competition entries, and lectures provide valuable insights into his approach to urbanism and inspire architects and urban planners to create more sustainable and livable cities.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032366517