++cataci.com topics/Lars Johan Tengner & Asa Conradsson++

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Interview with Lars Johan Tengner & Asa Conradsson

Day_	28/09/2003

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Conradsson: It's been here for a year, but I haven't got tired of it at all. I thought I would get tired of the colour in three months. But I haven't. I think it is because the concept is very strong.

Style-pd: So the concept came from 60's and 70's pop culture. You tried to recreate it?

Tengner: Not recreating it, but using it. The concept came from working with how to use the existing space, where to put the exhibition spaces, the bookstore, the cafe, etc… We wanted to make an accessible museum. We wanted to help the museum attract people who don't usually come to museums.

Conradsson: I think the building itself was an important factor when we designed this museum. Actually, this is a very Swedish way of thinking. We see the space and think what we can do with it. Swedish architects often feel the "soul" of the space, and do something with it.

Style-pd: Five architects were involved in this project, correct?

Conradsson: Sometimes seven. Between five and seven.

Tengner: In five months. We got the commission just before the turn of 2001 to 2002, and the museum opened in June 2002, so we had to design at the same time as it was being built.

Style-pd: Was there a leader?

Tengner: I was responsible for the design of the architecture. And Asa was in charge of the furniture..

Style-pd: Were you surprised that the museum got the award?

Tengner: We were very happy about it. Yes, it was a surprise.

Conradsson: We didn't tell this to anyone, but when we were working on this project, we knew that this would be something really good. I thought that this style would appeal to people, from average citizens to architects. Lots of architects come here to have lunch. That is a good sign.

Style-pd: If you had to pick the best building in Stockholm, which would you choose?

Tengner: Kulturhuset [Culture Centre, by Peter Celsing].

Conradsson: Stadshuset [City Hall, by Ragnar Ostberg].

Style-pd: Some people say that the area around Kulturhuset is the most unattractive area in Stockholm. I suppose a lot of tourists coming to Stockholm expect this city to be old and traditional. Those buildings are made of concrete and some people think it is ugly.

Tengner: Some people think like that, but in Stockholm more and more people are starting to like this part of the city. But if you think about the most important feature in Stockholm - not a building - then it would be water. That is a fantastic element of the city.

Style-pd: What do you think about Japanese architecture? Is there anything in particular that you are interested in?

Tengner: I like Toyo Ito. I especially like the Media Tech Building in Sendai.

Conradsson: Same. I like the kindergarten he designed in Germany. I like his style a lot.

Style-pd: How do you compare Swedish architecture to Japanese architecture? In design, it's been said that there is a similarity in that we both like minimalism. Does the same apply to architecture?

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