The Octopus Enigma
Skellefteå (SE) - Mention Spéciale
TEAM PORTRAIT
VIDEO (by the team)
INTERVIEW
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1. How do you define the main issue of your project in relation with the theme “Living Cities Imagining architecture taking care of the milieus”? And in which way do you think your project can contribute to an ecological and/or social evolution?
The octopus, an enigmatic creature gifted with remarkable intelligence, demonstrates unparalleled adaptability, allowing it to face perilous situations. Capable of changing colors and camouflaging itself to protect against potential dangers, it embodies a source of inspiration for approaching projects with agility. In Ursviken, faced with the immensity of the landscape, it might be tempting to conceive large-scale projects. Instead, we prefer a flexible and malleable approach, capable of reinventing itself and adapting to the rhythm of the seasons. Like a living organism, we create fragile situations in constant mutation, seeking the interstices to bring forth resilient projects. We are convinced that social and ecological change is driven by imperfect sub-systems, based on local vulnerabilities.
2. How did the issues of your design and the questions raised by the site mutation meet?
We opted for a bottom-up approach, focusing on the landscape and intensifying pre-existing qualities. The site is huge, and we decided to develop a phased approach that would allow time for observation and appropriation to flourish. We didn't want to fill the site immediately, but rather develop a progressive project, taking advantage of what was already there. We created a series of small concrete situations in constant dialogue with the wider landscape. These micro-architectures (bus stations, terraced houses, communal gardens, etc.) are operational levers around which larger projects can be designed. By paying close attention to the details and inherent characteristics of each place or situation, we can uncover hidden or overlooked aspects that enhance our experience. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the true essence of Ursviken.
PROJECT:
We work on all types of project, from the scale of a bench or piece of furniture to that of a large area. We attach great importance to the « Genius Loci » and to the the mysteries of the territories in our architectural and landscape production. For « The Octopus Enigma », we looked at images from the past of this region of Sweden. The sami culture, period photographs showing the evolution of domestic space, old and sometimes inaccurate maps - We have updated this material in order to faithfully reflect the historical depth of this site.
SITE:
We believe that phasing the project through the landscape and micro-situations is a way of acting quickly on the site and defining realistic objectives to be achieved. Phasing allows everyone to negotiate and invest in the future of the site - between foresight and laissez-faire. But before proceeding with any modifications or developments, prioritizing soil remediation is of utmost importance. This critical step is necessary to restore the ecological health of the territory and ensure that any potential negative impacts on the fauna, flora, and surrounding populations are minimized or eliminated. After that, the discussion with all the actors can start.
REFERENCES:
We've been working together for several years on small-scale architectural and landscape projects. Europan was an opportunity to develop these ideas on a different scale and to work on the vastness of Lapland. We're both involved in projects that seek to reconnect with questions of land and soil. Landscape and public space are gateways through which we can explore ways of paying greater attention to the environment we inhabit.
6. How could this prize help you in your professional career?
This special mention is a recognition of the research we have started. It reinforces our belief that it is more necessary than ever to take an interest in those forgotten by architecture. We hope that this prize will enable us to extend this study and participate in the development of other similar projects.
TEAM IDENTITY
Legal status: We are two independent architects based respectively in Brussel and Paris.
Team name:
Average age of the associates: 32 years old
Has your team, together or separately, already conceived or implemented some projects and/or won any competition? if so, which ones?
This is the first major competition we've won together. Noël Picaper has already been successful in competitions for urban projects and pavilions. For example, he won the métis gardens and was a finalist in the IBA 27 urban study project for the town of Backnang (GER). Joffrey and Noël are both going to continue to take part in competitions like theses ones.
WORKS:
