Urbancraft: An urban laboratory for environmental storytelling

Sammanfattning: Stockholm is experiencing the fast urban expansion with major development projects including housing, transportation and public spaces in and out of the city in which existing blocks are involved at different levels. The project Urbancraft’s proposal to transform Kvarteret Sländan in northern Vasastaden in Stockholm is an an explorative and experimental work that look at a range of different approaches which are inspired from the game world where more interactions happen and people are more engaged in its environment but are of different characters. The aim of the project is to explore and test the approaches from game world and answer the question of how to create a vibrant neighbourhood in a traditional European district, but at the same time an imaginary vision of it: mixed, historic and most importantly interactive and responsive to the local contexts for amenity such as seasonal difference of sunlight and the diversity of needs. The key point of the concept is translating game design methods into urban design and architecture language regarding to physical world and digital game world. The design phase focuses on three units of the traditional blocks: buildings, networks and courtyards which have a significant impact in Vasastaden’s appearance. The shapes of buildings are modified through strictly applied rules for both daylight and direct sunlight, while making these possible to change periodically. Networks as connections into the site break the barriers and create new public and semi-public spaces both at roof level and ground level. As a result, rooftops and courtyards will be redefined and more responsive for different users and needs with the thinking of game world.