Nordic Craft & architecture, The F.I courses takes place from 09.05.-27.05.2016
Team:
Walter Unterrainer, professor Aarhus school of architecture
Frank Erichsen, is specilized in craftworks and with self-sufficiency
Luca Finocchiaro, associate professor Ntnu - department of architectural design, history and technology
Heidi Merrild, associate professor Aarhus school of architecture
Module description:
The module is an introduction to Nordic vernacular materials and crafts. This workshop is based on a collaboration with
Frank Erichsen and other very skilled crafts people representing Nordic vernacular craft.
In this workshop we will investigate architectural design traditions and craftsmanship and as a starting point learning
from the past. We will explorer the interventions and possibilities within a small scale building or shelter, using four
specific vernacular materials, handmade, designed and constructed for disassembly, that allow for continuing reuse,
somewhere else or for a new purpose.
Creating a profile and true awareness Nordic craft, also leads towards sustainability as an important aspect
in building design. Generally speaking, the higher the expenses for the processing of the materials is, the higher
are the ecological indicators. The higher the amount of non renewable ingredients, such as fillers, additions,
binders etc., the worse the indicators are. Therefore, it also become an important goal in the project to create
new solutions, designed and constructed with as few materials as possible and renewable. The task will be for the
students and teachers to work in collaboration with skilled craftsmen. The focus will be to learn, work and produce
materials by using local resources. Then eventually design and build a new food workshop house in Revn, Djursland. The
food workshop house should be inspired by vernacular cooking methods, crafts, technology and design interpreted into
a new modern Nordic architectural design. The main focus is to generate and exchange knowledge of Nordic cultural
craft and architecture in theory and practice. The four different natural materials are: straw/ seaweed, clay, lime mortar
and wood. The workshop will also include more public events and presentation.
The focus will be on 4 different natural materials exploring the properties of the materials, architectural and technical
design.
 Straw/seaweed
 Unburned clay bricks
 Lime mortar and mussel shells
 wood
The workshop is a 3-week course in May 2016. Starting Monday 9th of may
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Week 1, focus is on production of materials together with understanding the properties of the materials and
craft work (we will be located in Revn Djursland)
Week 2, Theory in materials and their properties together with inspiration on architectural and technical
solution for the design of food workshop house. This week also include the planning and management of the
last week, building the food house.
Week 3, will be to construct the “chosen design” for the food house. (We will be in Revn Djursland)
The cource have three different themes in lecturing by:
Venacular Architectural design in transformation (School of architecture/Walter Unterrainer)
Natural materials properties and building techniques (Heidi Merrild & school of architecture/ Walter Unterrainer/ Luca
Finocchiaro)
Craft work in thatching, bricklaying, carpentering (Frank Erichsen)