Kiruna Forever – ArkDes – Sweden’s National Centre for Architecture and Design

Kiruna – a city in the northernmost part of Sweden – is experiencing one of the biggest urban transformation projects in recent history. The city is being relocated by three kilometres due to the expansion of the mine around which Kiruna was built. A third of the population must relocate, housing blocks and landmark buildings are being demolished or moved, and a new city is taking shape. But how do you move a city?

Kiruna Forever examines the ongoing relocation of Kiruna featuring over 100 works by architects, urban planners and artists who have transformed the community and addressed the challenges facing the the region from the first industrial settlements, today, and into the future.

Putting the relocation of Kiruna into a historical and geographical context, the exhibition reflects on the big questions that such a complex project raises. What is the limitation of natural resources? What happens to residents’ identity and security when their homes are demolished?  How do we decide whether cultural heritage should be preserved or sacrificed? How does the relocation affect the lives of the Indigenous population, the Sámi? How permanent are the cities we live in?

The exhibition is produced by ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design. There is a parallel exhibition at Konstmuseet i Norr, Norrbotten’s new County Art Museum, located in Kiruna. Some of the works have jointly been specially commissioned and are on show simultaneously at both venues.

Contributing architects and artists

Lara Almarcegui, Agneta Andersson, Iwan Baan, Anne Dessing and Michiel van Iersel; Per Bifrost and Alexander Rynéus; Fanny Carinasdotter, Anja Örn and Tomas Örn; Design Earth, Henning Larsen Architects, Erik Lefvander, Ingela Johansson, Kjellander Sjöberg, Hanna Ljungh, Åke Jönsson, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Hans Ragnar Mathisen, Murman Arkitekter, Emil Myrsell, Joar Nango, New Mineral Collective, Outi Pieski, Sandellsandberg Arkitekter, Adolf Sotoca and Mar Esteve; Lena Stenberg, Studio Folder, Territorial Agency, Klaus Thymann, Tirsén & Aili Arkitekter, Liselotte Wajstedt, Wilhelmson Arkitekter, White Arkitekter with Ghilardi+Hellsten Arkitekter and Spacecape

Source: Kiruna Forever – ArkDes – Sweden’s National Centre for Architecture and Design