(1)
More than criticism
of modernism.
THE
UPRISING
The Architecture Uprising is primarily a natural symptom of people feeling cut off from a meaningful discussion about what houses and cities should look like.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Oslo experienced significant changes due to the discovery of oil in the North Sea, (Ekofisk, 1969) leading to wealth growth, welfare state establishment, housing mass production, urban growth, population increase, and cityscape transformation. Today, almost eight out of ten Norwegians own their homes, (Eger 2022) and national pride in Scandinavian architects was fueled by vernacular and national romantic revivalist movements. "Dette er Oslo" (This is Oslo) is a 1968 film that celebrates the growing modern, functionalist, and brutalist architecture of Oslo, contrasting it with traditional, rural Norwegian architecture. It highlights the rapid changes in cityscape, architecture, and culture in Norway, shaping the modern city's perception. The Oscar-nominated film "The Worst Person In The World" has also contributed to Oslo's contemporary scene, winning the best film prize in Norway. (NTB 2022) Navigating the almost dystopian streets of Oslo, it is evident that things have changed significantly since 1968. “Dette er Oslo” (This is Oslo), a film from 1968, embodies this. Researched by Audun Engh, who later became the spokesperson for the Architectural Uprising, the film celebrates the various qualities of a growing Oslo; modern, functionalist, brutalist blocks of the city, contrasting it with traditional, rural Norwegian architecture. This film is an example of how quickly the cityscape was changing movements influenced architecture and culture in Norway, and shaped the way the modern city is perceived today. And speaking of films, there is no doubt that the Oscar-nominated film "The Worst Person In The World" has made a significant contribution to the promotion of Oslo's contemporary scene among a broader audience. It naturally won the best film prize in Norway. In its justification, the jury noted, "The first thing that strikes the local audience is how well the director captures the sound of Oslo." (NTB 2022) Navigating the almost dystopian streets of Oslo, it is evident that things have changed significantly since 1968.
Is there a way to re-establish classical and democratic principles through an agreement that also does not compromise modern principles?
OSLO IS
CHANGING
Oslo's rapid development and few restrictions have changed its cityscape dramatically over the decades. The Architecture Uprising has been a theme frequently brought up at architecture schools and city planning debates.
The Architecture Uprising, a social media movement in Sweden, began in 2014, it has spread to several countries with people advocating for traditional, classical architecture in homes and places. The Norwegian Architectural Journal traces the movement back to the 1980s urban renewal ideals. (Arkitektur 2023, 7) Since 2016, the group has been active in Norway, with a big breakthrough in Norwegian media in 2021, appearing in newspapers, evening news, and debate panels. Led today by Thomas Flemming, CTO at NorQuant AS, the grassroots movement aims to make architecture a part of local politics.
On Instagram and Facebook, the movement is comparing old-fashioned buildings from around the world to those in Norway, while cities in Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, and England adopt a vernacular, sensitive approach to planning, incorporating local opinions. Their critique of Oslo has highlighted the darker side of Norwegian development, particularly the demolition of popular and expensive residential areas. The late Audun Engh, lawyer, editor, local activist, and advocate for traditional architecture and urban planning, recounts in a podcast interview by Wolfgang Wee (2021), a time when the city council retreated from modernist urban planning, focusing on preserving cultural heritage. This shift demonstrates the power of people's voices in shaping Oslo's future and serves as inspiration for the Architecture Uprising, which aims to safeguard the city's character by preserving its cultural heritage.
Instagram opinions
@aonorge "We allowed this... to become this."
Over the course of 35 years, Engh contributed with his writing and social engagment to the architectural discourse. In 2001, Petter Olsen, His Majesty King Charles III, Robert Adam and others formed INTBAU (International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism). His recent passing in 2023 was a great loss to the community. He has, however, left a lasting impact which has contributed to re-focusing values in the contemporary Norwegian building industry by placing architecture on the political agenda. (INTBAU 2023) With the help of Erik Holm and Shaer Souriri, Engh mobilised a social media movement which has now raised a great awareness of the democratic problem of architecture. (Nilssen and NRK 2021)
According to Engh and the movement, their aim is to establish genuine local autonomy for the people in Norway, drawing inspiration from Great Britain. Oslo has experienced rapid development, but has fewer governmental restrictions, leading to a dramatic change in its urban landscape. In light of this, it raises the question of whether people should have the right to participate in the decisions affecting their environment.
