The Cinque Terre Experience – part one

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Riomaggiore Townscape

Up in the Liguria region of Italy, lies the Cinque Terre, like a string of beautiful pearls, sprinkled along the ragged shoreline. These five small villages, tied together with a winding path, remain untouched by cars (for the most). The area has been a popular tourist destination since the beginning of tourism. Since 1997 it has been part of Unesco´s World Heritage Site. Before tourism the Cinque Terre were simple fishing villages, turning towards their … Continue reading →

My One-Day-Of-Teleportation Wish List

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taj mahal

Imagine. Early one morning, while the rest of the house is still sound asleep, I awaken with a start – there is someone in my bedroom! And out of the blue twiligh steps a beautiful fairy in a white dress, who whispers for me to follow her… Dumbstruck, I put on my slippers and follow her to the kitchen, where she tells me two things, both of which shock me to the core of my … Continue reading →

Hello, I am Connie, I am an Architect

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Hello, I am Connie

I have been living in denial for years, while thinking to myself: “Nooo, I´m not really an architect… I could stop any time if I wanted to, and do something completely different with my life. I am not living and breathing for architecture. I could throw it all away in a heartbeat; – the tingling sensation on seeing a beautiful piece of architecture, – the entoxicating feeling of making ideas come to life on paper, … Continue reading →

Signs of Religion

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sign of religion in the forest

After nine months in Italy I am struck by how religious symbols keep showing up on thinkable and unthinkable places. For example: … on a workshop wall. … closeup. … in the abandoned cave of an eremite. … on the street. … on a brick wall. … in the middle of the forest. … on a mountain top.

I am a Busy Bee

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programmed_hive_2

I am a bee – that buzz buzz buzz around – and collect the essence – cream – honey – from many plants. I start from the outer layers of the flowers, sticking my trunk in and sucking the nectar. Then, heavy and satisfied, I return to my own place. Using what I have received – adding it together – planning – building – my own and everyone’s – beehive. I wrote this piece at … Continue reading →

Jungle Animals and Free Birds in the Heart of Oslo

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Forceful jungle animals in the city

Oslo, the capital of Norway, on a cold spring day, on the day the trial of Anders Behren Breivik started (terrorist and mass murderer, responsible for the 22nd of July massacre). No one is unmoved. Danger showed up where it was least expected. “Free as a bird, or in the claws of destiny?” Forceful jungle animals in the heart of the city – reminders of our dependence of the forces of nature.

Oslo Opera House

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IMG_7192

“Architecture is music in space, as it were a frozen music” Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling. The Oslo Opera House lies in the transition between land and sea, with its vast slanting marble floors to sit or walk about on when the weather allows it. The building majestically tilts towards the ocean, like an iceberg. The renouned Norwegian architects from Snøhetta, who also designed the library of Alexandria and the Ground Zero monument in New … Continue reading →

10 Reasons for Hiring an Architect

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10 reasons

“Why hire an architect?” you might ask yourself… According to prejudice only the rich can afford them, and only the less creative really need them anyway. Reason no. 1: You Have Plans For Your House The most obvious reason for hiring an architect is that you have plans to build or rebuild your house, because it no longer meets your needs. If this isn’t already a good enough reason for hiring an architect, it means … Continue reading →

Knocking on Heaven´s Door

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Heaven in Tuscany

After a semi-strenous hike we discovered this absolutely idyllic place high up in the mountains of Tuscany. A citizen of the nearby town has, appropriately enough, named the place “Heaven”, and keeps it open for hikers in need of a hot or cold drink and a place to rest. Simply charming! Pretty sure this building detail is not “by the book”, but who cares!