New York, NY, Oct. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Swedish Design Moves New York, a program celebrating Swedish innovation through the lens of architecture and design, announces a week of programming in New York, October 24-28. Focusing on democratic architecture and global best practices, Sweden has teamed up with the Center for Architecture and Van Alen Institute to host a series of cross-disciplinary panels and conversations, curated by STHLMNYC. The exhibition Aiming for Democratic Architecture, curated by Architects Sweden and the Swedish Institute, focusing on architectural projects of varying scales from all over Sweden, will open at Van Alen Institute on October 26 and will remain on display thru October 28.

“The full week of programming is meant to share knowledge with New York’s design community on the sustainable philosophies and progressive practices Sweden upholds.” said Michael Persson Gripkow, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Visit Sweden. “By sharing our philosophy on Democratic Architecture, we hope to inspire creative and innovative thinking.”

In association with Archtober 2017, Swedish Design Moves New York investigates Swedish architecture and design solutions that can help address universal urban issues. Sweden’s egalitarian society and intimate relation to nature have generated great examples of balanced architectural solutions that accommodate both community and environmental needs. Swedish Design Moves New York is a collaboration between Visit Sweden, STHLMNYC, Architects Sweden, The Swedish Institute, and the Consulate General of Sweden in New York.

“We’re thrilled to start critical conversations and get a New York perspective on Sweden’s progressive, collaborative and inclusive approach to architectural design and urban planning,” said Niklas Arnegren, Head of Cultural Affairs and Public Programs at the Consulate General of Sweden.

Panels will focus on projects and firms that are leading the way in democratic architecture. Conversations include Chris Sharples, Principal at SHoP Architects, Alexandra Hagen, CEO Elect White Arkitekter, and Christer Larsson, City Planning director Malmö discussing The Process of Democratic Architecture, James Ramsey, Principal of RAAD Studio, Susanne Ramel, Architect at Marge, and Linda Pettersson, Landscape Architect at Urbio examining Nature & Wellbeing, Benjamin Gilmartin, Principal at DS+R and Anna Sunnerö, Architect at Wingårdhs exploring Culture & People, and lastly Thomas Kosbau, Principal at ORE Design and Torleif Fark, City Architect of Stockholm City analyzing Innovative Solutions. The full schedule is below.

“One of the largest challenges we face when it comes to the built environment is affordability,” says Chris Sharples, Principal at SHoP Architects. “Like health care everyone should have access to good quality housing. Our role as architects and planners is to come up with new material systems and design/building processes that allow us to address the cost constraints, at the same time and just as important provide inspiring, well-crafted beautiful places for people to live.”

The week of activities will kick off at Delos with a lunch for designers to learn about the WELL Building Standard. The programming will culminate with a presentation by Swedish street artist Ola Kalnins, beginning with a discussion on Art in Public Space, followed by the unveiling of his latest commission in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a large-scale mural which he’ll be creating over the course of eight days.

Calendar:

Conversation I: Democratic Architecture – A Process Participants include Christer Larsson, City Planning Director Malmö, Alexandra Hagen, CEO Elect White Arkitekter, Per Franson, Vice Dean of Faculty KTH School of Architecture, David Burney, Academic Coordinator at Pratt Institute, Claudia Herasme, Director Urban Design at NYC DCP, and Chris Sharples, Principal at SHoP Architects. Moderated by Linda Schuur, Founding Partner of STHLMNYC at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place on October 24 at 3pm. 

Conversation II: Democratic Architecture – Nature & Wellbeing Participants include Gert Wingårdh, Managing Director at Wingårdhs, Linda Pettersson, Landscape Architect at Urbio, Susanne Ramel, Architect at Marge, Jeff Shumaker, Director of Urban Planning and Design at KPF, and James Ramsey, Principal at RAAD Studio. Moderated by David van der Leer, Executive Director Van Alen Institute at Van Alen Institute, 30 W 22nd St on October 26 at 5pm. 

Conversation III: Democratic Architecture – Culture & People Participants include Joy Mboya, Executive Director at GoDown Arts Centre, Ulrika Stenkula, Architect at White Arkitekter, Anna Sunnerö, Architect at Wingårdhs, Patrick Verhoeven, Urban Designer at Mandaworks, and Benjamin Gilmartin, Principal at DS+R. Moderated by Rick Bell, Director of Design and Construction Excellence for the DDC at Van Alen Institute, 30 W 22nd St on October 27 at 5pm. 

Conversation IV: Democratic Architecture – Innovative Solutions Participants include Ola Jonsson, Associated Partner at C.F. Moller, Jan Rydén, Artist, Färgfabriken, Torleif Falk, City Architect Stockholm City, Thomas Kosbau, Principal at ORE Design, and David Quart, Deputy Commissioner at HPD. Moderated by Sander Schuur, Founding Partner of STHLMNYC at Van Alen Institute, 30 W 22nd St on October 28 at 1pm. 

Conversation V: Democratic Architecture – Art in Public Space Ola Kalnins discussing democratic architecture in terms of art in public spaces at Van Alen Institute, 30 W 22nd St on October 28 at 4pm. 

About Swedish Design Moves

Swedish Design Moves is a program that aims to increase the international awareness of Swedish design, (including architecture, fashion and furniture/accessories), and is commissioned by the Swedish Government. The overall goal is to increase the number of visitors to Sweden interested in design as well increasing exports of Swedish design. The program is led by Visit Sweden in collaboration with Architects Sweden, ASFBAssociation of Swedish Fashion Brands, The Swedish Federation of Wood and Furniture (TMF) and Svensk Form.

Swedish Design Moves was introduced at Stockholm Design Week in February this year and hosted its debut events at Milan Design Week in April. It travels to Paris in September with fashion and architecture as the main focus of events at the Swedish Institute, followed by London Design Fair later that month for its official UK launch. www.swedishdesignmoves.com

About Visit Sweden

Visit Sweden is a communications company promoting Sweden as a destination and as a brand. Our vision is to create a desire for Sweden and to encourage more foreign travelers to travel there. We are present in 10 countries worldwide and combine local presence with market-wide communication. Visit Sweden is equally owned by the Swedish Government through the Ministry of Enterprise & Innovation and the Swedish Tourism Industry through Svensk Turism AB. www.visistsweden.com

About STHLMNYC

STHLMNYC is a non-profit organization focused on active collaboration in the development of our cities between: architects, urban planners, developers, academia and related professions. STHLMNYC aims to rethink and reformulate architecture to impact the future of our urban environment. These collaborations have resulted in successful city planning studies and prestigious competition wins. STHLMNYC, which has hosted programs as part of Archtober since 2014, connected Sweden’s NY-based cultural organizations to share the best of Swedish urban design and architecture. www.sthlmnyc.org

About Architects Sweden

Architects Sweden is a professional organization for architects, interior architects, landscape architects and spatial planners with 13,000 members, including 2,600 students. Architects Sweden’s main goal is to strengthen architecture and architects position in society. One of the most important current projects is the internationalization of member practices and creation of international platforms through exhibitions and connected events like Woodland Sweden and Aiming for Democratic Architecture (with The Swedish Institute). www.arkitekt.se

About The Swedish Institute

The Swedish Institute is a public agency that promotes interest and confidence in Sweden around the world. The Swedish Institute seeks to establish cooperation and lasting relations with other countries through strategic communication and exchange in the fields of culture, education, science and business. www.eng.si.se About The Consulate General of Sweden in New York The Consulate General of Sweden supports and promotes a wide range of projects and collaborations showcasing Swedish culture, arts and business in New York and the northeastern United States. www.swedennewyork.com

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72d3ee81-1f3e-494d-a2d5-a0ce3880ffa9

CONTACT: Alex Polier
Swedish Design Moves New York 
917-693-2768
[email protected]