Root City

DONNÉES DE L’ÉQUIPE

Représentant de l’équipe : Dzenis Dzihic (SE) – architecte ; Associé : Staffan Svensson (SE) – architecte

Bjurholmsgatan 37, 11663 Stockholm (SE)
+46 707 586 443 – dzenis.dzihic@gmail.com

Voir la liste complète des portraits ici
Voir la page du site ici

^{S. Svensson & Dzenis Dzihic}

VIDEO (par l'équipe)

INTERVIEW (en anglais)

1. How did you form the team for the competition?

The team is a result of a long-term friendship that has its beginning in the first year of architectural studies in Stockholm. Since one of us has roots in the city of Enköping, it was a natural decision to participate. As for the formation of the team, we knew from before that we have a common view on architecture and also possess different tools and strengths that makes us complete each other.

2. How do you define the main issue of your project, and how did you answer on this session main topic: the place of productive activities within the city?

The main issue of the project is to create a sustainable city that promotes human presence and activity. For a productive and healthy city, we believe that human presence and activity is necessary, as well as a strong interconnection with nature. The answer is thus a green urban area that has qualities that allow people to interact with each other and with nature, for an exchange that both can benefit from. Ecological, social, health-related, economic and historical aspects are all interwoven in the concept of the new productive city – the “Root City”.

3. How did this issue and the questions raised by the site mutation meet?

The questions raised by the site are dealing with a fragmented plan, traffic routes that act as barriers, undefined green spaces and lack of pedestrian and bicycle routes. These issues are all contributing to a city where human activity and an interconnection with nature is neglected. Hence the questions that the site raises coincide with the issue of the productive city.

4. Have you treated this issue previously? What were the reference projects that inspired yours?

The issue is more or less recurring in every project we are working on, on various scale. The Highline in New York (US) was an obvious inspiration with its many qualities that promote interaction between people and nature in an intriguing way that is rooted in the site history. Two other projects that inspired us were Superkilen in København (DK), with its urban playfulness, and Sky Garden in London (UK), where the greenery is part of the elevated experience.

5. Urban-architectural projects like the ones in Europan can only be implemented together with the actors through a negotiated process and in time. How did you consider this issue in your project?

The vision for the area is a green urban area that not only stands prepared for the challenges that the future might hold, but also takes the lead in sustainable development of existing and new urban areas. We have visualized this as taking place in different stages over time. During the initial stages of the transformation of the area, the three prioritized areas ought to be developed according to the four parts of the concept: bricks, green routes, green spaces and smart systems. These four conceptual parts, that make up the base of the project, allow for a flexibility in the actual implementation while ensuring that the core issues are taken care of.

6. Is it the first time you have been awarded a prize at Europan? How could this help you in your professional career?

This is the first time we have taken part in the Europan competition, and hopefully not the last. It is a great honour for us to be awarded a winning prize in such a renowned competition. The award gives us confidence in our professional work and in the possible future implementation of our ideas.

IDENTITÉ DE L'ÉQUIPE

Agence : /
Fonctions : Architectes
Âge moyen des associés : 30 ans

Has your team, together or separately, already conceived or implemented some projects and/or won any competition? If yes, which ones?

We have separately, on our own and as associates, implemented various kinds projects in Sweden, Switzerland, Dubai and Lebanon throughout the last six years. The types of projects stretch all the way from city plans and complex large-scale buildings to single family houses and furniture