Join us for a unique architecture camp at Voksenåsen, Norway’s national gift to Sweden, located at the top of Holmenkollen. We invite Swedish and Norwegian architecture students to participate in a three-day collaborative experience that blends design and building architecture with deeper reflections on democracy, peace and cooperation.
Solid Grounds offers you the opportunity to design and build a permanent architectural element using reclaimed stone and marble. This element will become part of the landscape at Voksenhåsen and a place for gathering. At the same time, you will explore how bilateral work can serve as a powerful tool for peacebuilding.
Practical Information:
- Location: Voksenåsen, Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway
- Dates: October 10th – 12th
- Accommodation and Meals: All-inclusive. Accommodation, meals, and instruction are provided free of charge for all participants.
- Materials: All building materials will be provided on-site.
- What to Bring: Comfortable clothing suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities, personal toiletries, and any personal tools or design materials you wish to use.
- Travel Support: Train tickets roundtrip Stockholm-Oslo will be covered for Swedish students. Voksenåsen will arrange and provide tickets for students travelling from Stockholm, please do not buy your own ticket.
- Train Schedule for Stockholm Participants:
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- Departure: Thursday, October 10th at 08:34 from Stockholm, arriving in Oslo at 16:02.
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- Return: Sunday, October 13th at 14:36 from Oslo, arriving in Stockholm at 20:22.
- Host and Support: The course is hosted by Voksenåsen Cultural Center and supported by the Swedish-Norwegian Cooperation Fund. The stone retailer Ellingaard will provide reclaimed stone and marbles for building the gathering square.
- Participation: a maximum number of 8 students per university can participate, you can express interest with Hanna if you are from Norway and Michela if you are from Sweden. If more than 8 people in each country apply there will be a public lottery. You can apply if you are part of the “How Should we Live Together” master studio at KTH or Arch Gk3 at AHO.
Contact Information:
- If you wish to participate, please contact the responsible teachers:
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- Stockholm: Michela Barone Lumaga, Architect and lecturer at KTH architecture department. Currently teaching the “How Should we Live Together” master studio. micb@kth.se
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- Oslo: Hanna Birkeland Bergh, Architect and associate professor AHO. Currently running semester 3 Urban residence. Hanna.Birkeland.Bergh@aho.no
- Additional Faculty: Pernilla Glaser and Jenny Magnusson
- Voksenåsen Contact: Tuva Milton Kårstad will handle travel arrangements and can answer practical questions related to your stay at Voksenåsen. If you have any questions about your stay, contact tuva@voksenaasen.no.
This is a unique opportunity to engage in a project that not only focuses on architecture but also on creating spaces for democratic conversations and peace. We look forward to three days of collaboration, creativity, and inspiration at Voksenåsen!
Program Overview:
October 10th
- Arrival and tour of Voksenåsen
- Welcome dinner
- Ice-breaker workshop.
October 11th
- Breakfast
- Lecture by Jenny Magnusson
- Mini lecture by Pernilla Glaser on spaces for conversation and peacebuilding
- Design brief and materials presentation by Hanna and Michela
- Group design work, including lunch
- Presentation of ideas and decision process on what to build
- Start of the building process
- Dinner
- Playful reflection on learning by Pernilla
October 12th
- Continuation of the building process
- Opening of the completed project
- Possible speech by the ambassador
- Mini-gala dinner
- Free evening for socializing
