There was a restaurant at the top and obviously some toilets too. Let's just say that having thoughtfully provided facilities in such a unique spot, it would be very rude of me not to take advantage! Look out below!
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Stockholm's telecom tower - Job done!
Stockholm has a great telecom tower built in the 1960's at the height of 'Brutslism'. The view from the top was pretty awesome but I didn't take any on the phone so you'll just have to wait until I'm back the photos are loaded on Facebook.
There was a restaurant at the top and obviously some toilets too. Let's just say that having thoughtfully provided facilities in such a unique spot, it would be very rude of me not to take advantage! Look out below!
There was a restaurant at the top and obviously some toilets too. Let's just say that having thoughtfully provided facilities in such a unique spot, it would be very rude of me not to take advantage! Look out below!
Stockholm city bus terminal
Ralph Erskine, the Architect of Byker Wall and The Ark worked on the city's bus terminal in 1989. This is very much of it's time and a couple of years before the Ark.
The main passenger interchange is a long atrium with quirky curved roofs, glazed lifts, rounded corners and fair faced block work with bands of marble. It is strangely peaceful and simple in it's operation.
Passengers feed in to the central spine from the streets at either end and access to the busses is via gates along the spines length. The whole section is stepped along it's length. Escalators, lifts and bridge links populate the atrium dividing it into a series of quite intimate and spaces.
The main passenger interchange is a long atrium with quirky curved roofs, glazed lifts, rounded corners and fair faced block work with bands of marble. It is strangely peaceful and simple in it's operation.
Passengers feed in to the central spine from the streets at either end and access to the busses is via gates along the spines length. The whole section is stepped along it's length. Escalators, lifts and bridge links populate the atrium dividing it into a series of quite intimate and spaces.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Asplund's Stockholm public library
Well walking half way back to Norway in the snow (well that's what felt like - as I got lost) to get to the library was well worth it.
For the un-initiated, this building by Erik Gunnar Asplund completed in 1928, is one of the Architects most accomplished projects. As a student I can remember pouring over drawings trying to work out what was going on.
A classically simple drum sits on a square base and all is what appears to be a rusty red stucco. Frescos of ancient classical antiquities run in bands at high level and the door arches are picked out with decorated stone surrounds.
When you enter through the glazed double height screen and arrive in the black entrance vestibule, light spills from the central reading room. A simple stair case brings you into the main rotunda and 3 tiers of books line the walls.
Above the books is a white painted dome in what looks like rough hewn rock with high level windows and a single pendent light in the centre. As you look closer the walls that are not book lined are covered in inlaid timber with more of the classical frescos.
In the base plinth are housed more reading rooms, one on each side and the space between the outer wall of the rotunda and where this intersects with the base are simply left as light wells.
This building is an absolute joy and is pretty much in it's original form right down to the signage fixtures and fittings.
The pictures won't do it justice but here are a couple to give you a taste of the building.
For the un-initiated, this building by Erik Gunnar Asplund completed in 1928, is one of the Architects most accomplished projects. As a student I can remember pouring over drawings trying to work out what was going on.
A classically simple drum sits on a square base and all is what appears to be a rusty red stucco. Frescos of ancient classical antiquities run in bands at high level and the door arches are picked out with decorated stone surrounds.
When you enter through the glazed double height screen and arrive in the black entrance vestibule, light spills from the central reading room. A simple stair case brings you into the main rotunda and 3 tiers of books line the walls.
Above the books is a white painted dome in what looks like rough hewn rock with high level windows and a single pendent light in the centre. As you look closer the walls that are not book lined are covered in inlaid timber with more of the classical frescos.
In the base plinth are housed more reading rooms, one on each side and the space between the outer wall of the rotunda and where this intersects with the base are simply left as light wells.
This building is an absolute joy and is pretty much in it's original form right down to the signage fixtures and fittings.
The pictures won't do it justice but here are a couple to give you a taste of the building.
Stockholm lunch
I'm beginning to think that the Swede's only serve meatballs to Ikea customers in England. I assumed it was the national dish and would be on offer on every street corner.
This morning's culture fest was the Architecture centre and the National Museum. It's snowing again so I have retreated to a sort of chain restaurant (very popular with locals) called Jensen's Bofhus. Come on, I have been really restrained in my posting of amusing signs. It's 'fart' this, 'fart' that and you can't 'fart' here!!
To make up for that, I'm heading back out into the snow to go and see Asplund's library.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This morning's culture fest was the Architecture centre and the National Museum. It's snowing again so I have retreated to a sort of chain restaurant (very popular with locals) called Jensen's Bofhus
To make up for that, I'm heading back out into the snow to go and see Asplund's library.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, 28 March 2011
Swedish brew review
Right this is probably the first proper beer review and tonight I'm drinking a dark lager. This concept is new to me so you learn something new everyday. The lager is brewed by the Abro brewery, one of the last 3 independent brewers in Sweden. (Rumour has it that the micro brewery industry is thriving making "folksbeer". Hopefully I'll track some down tomorrow.)
Anyway back to the beer. It is called Brygg Mastarsens and is a lovely dark almost ruby red colour. The taste is clean and fresh like a traditionally brewed lager, not Eurofizz-John ;-) and with a really smooth malty aftertaste that gives the lager real body. It's 5.0% and that creeps up on you rather nicely.
Shout if this is too nerdy!
M has got our latest brew on the go at home and I'm looking forward to some stout when I get back :-)
Anyway back to the beer. It is called Brygg Mastarsens and is a lovely dark almost ruby red colour. The taste is clean and fresh like a traditionally brewed lager, not Eurofizz-John ;-) and with a really smooth malty aftertaste that gives the lager real body. It's 5.0% and that creeps up on you rather nicely.
Shout if this is too nerdy!
M has got our latest brew on the go at home and I'm looking forward to some stout when I get back :-)
Stockholm
Welcome aboard the MS Ryggerfjord me hearties. I'm staying on a boat in the harbour. Whilst the cabin is cramped. The view from the corridor sorry gangway outside the cabin is great. That ice seems to be following me. It's like sleeping in a gin and tonic. See pics below:
One for Dominik....
My cousin Dominik appears to be doing some modelling for a Swedish magazine. Before you all get too excited it was the travel magazine on the train from Oslo to Stockholm. What do you think? I reckon this is your doppleganger Dom......
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