The Architecture Uprising in Scandinavia and Beyond
The Architecture Uprising in Scandinavia and Beyond - Our Invasion of the Landscape A Manifest for Human Scale Building and the Resistance Against Brutalism By Ulf Andenaes & Erling Okkenhaug With Branko Mitrović, Frederica Miller, Karl Fredrik Honningsvåg and others. This challenging book presents both a voice of protest and a vision of hope. The Architecture Uprising in Scandinavia and Beyond documents the resistance against the brutal architecture of recent decades and against the sweeping erasure of local, regional and national identity in the built environment of today’s world. It traces how vernacular building heritage in town and country is being overrun by generic constructions of concrete, steel and glass, wiping out any national, regional or local identity. It examines the failure of ideologies that have ignored human emotions as well as environmental consequences. Editor Erling Okkenhaug, long-time activist and founder of the environmental and community focused Allgrønn (Evergreen) network, joins forces with accomplished international journalist Ulf Andenaes and a group of committed voices from across Scandinavia to present a multi-faceted critique of the current architectural paradigm. Drawing on sources as diverse as Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Gandhi, Jan Gehl, Hans Asplund , Christopher Alexander and Ivan Illich, the book presents a philosophical, environmental, and aesthetic case against alienating architecture, in favour of harmony, beauty and the environment. The book offers: • A cutting and insightful analysis of modernist doctrines and what is called the "unholy alliance" between brutalist architecture and speculative capitalism. • Stories of loss and visual documentation of how beloved places are being degraded. • Essays on the psychology of space, the alienation caused by faceless surroundings and monotone developments, the spiritual toll of hostile design. • Arguments for a different kind of modernism, celebrating colourful organic alternatives (like art nouveau, art deco, Antoni Gaudi and Hundertwasser), studios inspired by traditional and classic aesthetics (achieved by some Norwegian architecture students in opposition to their professors), and the common-sense rationality of vernacular building. • A sharp critique of the use of concrete as a climate-damaging material, countering “greenwashing” with hard facts. • A call for reforms in architectural education and democratic planning that respects local identity and popular will. This edition in English has been carefully adapted for an international audience, building on the successful Norwegian book Arkitekturoppgjøret. It contains contributions from architects, planners, professors, students and a range of citizens, offering a unique blend of professional insight and grassroot activism. It includes hundreds of illustrations and true life examples of both disaster and resistance. “Some houses are friendly, some are hostile. We need the friendly ones to help us feel at ease in the world.”- Erling Okkenhaug “The alliance between speculators and brutalist architects result in buildings screaming at each other. This is not urban development. It is urban destruction.” - From the text More than a book – it is a manifesto for beauty, tradition, and environmental sanity. This edition is available in two formats: ???? Full-color edition Ideal for collectors, professionals, and readers who appreciate the visual depth of the original images. High-quality color printing on white paper. ???? Price: $35.00 ???? Budget-friendly black-and-white edition Same powerful content and layout, with all images carefully converted to grayscale for optimal legibility and aesthetic impact. Perfect for students, institutions, or those wanting an affordable alternative. ???? Price: $17.90 ✅ Key Features: • Over 180 pages of essays, images, and reflections • Contributions from Branko Mitrović, Karl Fredrik Honningsvåg, and Frederica Miller • Documents the architectural uprisings in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland • Explores beauty, tradition, ecology, democracy – and resistance Co-published with INTBAU Norway and Finland Visit: www.allgronn.org/the-architecture-uprising-in-scandinavia-and-beyond
The Architecture Uprising in Scandinavia and Beyond -
Our Invasion of the Landscape
A Manifest for Human Scale Building and the Resistance Against Brutalism
By Ulf Andenaes & Erling Okkenhaug
With Branko Mitrović, Frederica Miller, Karl Fredrik Honningsvåg and others.
This challenging book presents both a voice of protest and a vision of hope. The Architecture Uprising in Scandinavia and Beyond documents the resistance against the brutal architecture of recent decades and against the sweeping erasure of local, regional and national identity in the built environment of today’s world. It traces how vernacular building heritage in town and country is being overrun by generic constructions of concrete, steel and glass, wiping out any national, regional or local identity. It examines the failure of ideologies that have ignored human emotions as well as environmental consequences.
Editor Erling Okkenhaug, long-time activist and founder of the environmental and community focused Allgrønn (Evergreen) network, joins forces with accomplished international journalist Ulf Andenaes and a group of committed voices from across Scandinavia to present a multi-faceted critique of the current architectural paradigm. Drawing on sources as diverse as Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Gandhi, Jan Gehl, Hans Asplund , Christopher Alexander and Ivan Illich, the book presents a philosophical, environmental, and aesthetic case against alienating architecture, in favour of harmony, beauty and the environment.
The book offers:
• A cutting and insightful analysis of modernist doctrines and what is called the "unholy alliance" between brutalist architecture and speculative capitalism.
• Stories of loss and visual documentation of how beloved places are being degraded.
• Essays on the psychology of space, the alienation caused by faceless surroundings and monotone developments, the spiritual toll of hostile design.
• Arguments for a different kind of modernism, celebrating colourful organic alternatives (like art nouveau, art deco, Antoni Gaudi and Hundertwasser), studios inspired by traditional and classic aesthetics (achieved by some Norwegian architecture students in opposition to their professors), and the common-sense rationality of vernacular building.
• A sharp critique of the use of concrete as a climate-damaging material, countering “greenwashing” with hard facts.
• A call for reforms in architectural education and democratic planning that respects local identity and popular will.
This edition in English has been carefully adapted for an international audience, building on the successful Norwegian book Arkitekturoppgjøret. It contains contributions from architects, planners, professors, students and a range of citizens, offering a unique blend of professional insight and grassroot activism. It includes hundreds of illustrations and true life examples of both disaster and resistance.
“Some houses are friendly, some are hostile. We need the friendly ones to help us feel at ease in the world.”- Erling Okkenhaug
“The alliance between speculators and brutalist architects result in buildings screaming at each other. This is not urban development. It is urban destruction.” - From the text
More than a book – it is a manifesto for beauty, tradition, and environmental sanity.
This edition is available in two formats:
???? Full-color edition
Ideal for collectors, professionals, and readers who appreciate the visual depth of the original images. High-quality color printing on white paper.
???? Price: $35.00
???? Budget-friendly black-and-white edition
Same powerful content and layout, with all images carefully converted to grayscale for optimal legibility and aesthetic impact.
Perfect for students, institutions, or those wanting an affordable alternative.
???? Price: $17.90
✅ Key Features:
• Over 180 pages of essays, images, and reflections
• Contributions from Branko Mitrović, Karl Fredrik Honningsvåg, and Frederica Miller
• Documents the architectural uprisings in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland
• Explores beauty, tradition, ecology, democracy – and resistance
Co-published with INTBAU Norway and Finland
Visit: www.allgronn.org/the-architecture-uprising-in-scandinavia-and-beyond
