Subtle flex that I've been to Denmark

 

I am still a little lost on the whole critical regionalism thing.

I understand the merit and meaning behind the theory, but to me, it does not hold enough value as it could. I believe critical regionalism merely sets the stage or “framework” for some of the larger issues that need to be addressed through architecture. These issues being environmental, cultural, and emotional responses. So, without mimicking the past or abstracting the region completely, how do we as designers really create a regionalism that responds to all three of these topics?

As someone who has visited Bagsvaerd Church, this example really helped me to examine critical regionalism under this lens. I remember taking a transit bus from Copenhagen, north to a much smaller town with a lot fewer people. We walked from the transit stop to the church quite seamlessly as there was no grand entrance or vista that leads you directly into the sacred space like that of Grundtvig’s Church (a place I visited within the same day). The “wow” moment for Bagsvaerd was the beautiful cloud-like space that was implemented within. This demonstrates the intention of the space and gives that grand moment to the users of the church rather than tourists trying to get the perfect picture on the outside. Utzon’s use of common materials and the simplistic placing of the church in the urban fabric check the cultural and emotional boxes for me. I think I am missing the environmental response as I think that is something in architecture we cannot forget, and can actually use to our advantage.