DR KEMIRA

In November 2005, Kollision was invited to participate in a television series on DR2, which partly focused on the design of urban space and partly on the architects' different working methods. Through our association with, among others CAVI and Interactive Spaces, our methodical and solution-related approach differs from most other architectural studios, so we were asked to participate in two of the six programs. The programs were structured as a competition between two studios, tasked with solving a complex urban space in 10 hours. A TV crew followed the process of each team to provide the viewers with an insight into different ways of solving the same architectural problem. The series were shown a number of times on Danish national television as well as national television in other Nordic countries.

Kollision competed against SHL on the kemira site in Frederecia. Kemira is a major producer of NPK fertilizer, and has for many years been an industrial ‘wall’ between city and the waterfront. Instead of removing the old industrial plants, we decided to outline a process of transformation where the city slowly took back the land, creating ownership of an otherwise hated part of the urban space. By cutting through the site's buildings, the aim was to create a passage for water from the city, and to open up new uses of the reclaimed urban spaces.

We presented our project on two A3 posters and as a short movie shot in CAVI's blue studio and 3D panorama cinema, showing new ways of using technology to provide the citizens (and viewers) a better understanding of the design solutions for the urban spaces. Collision lost the competition the SHL who won the prize (a pie) and 15 minutes of fame!