ArkDes Think Tank
ArkDes Think Tank is a creative hub for research, collaboration and strategic analysis within architecture and design.
ArkDes Think Tank engages in collaborations, experience sharing and knowledge development as well as monitors and supports Sweden’s official policies in the areas of architecture and design.
Society consists of architecture, form and design – the styled living environment. A conscious quality-driven design, from chairs to cities, will contribute to a more sustainable, democratic, healthy and accessible society for everyone.
ArkDes Think Tank creates new knowledge related to styled living environments through themes and investigative practice-based projects and explores ways to implement these and contribute to fulfilling the goals get forth in the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Read more
Sustainordic
ArkDes is part of Sustainordic, a Nordic network for the development of sustainable production and consumption.
The purpose of the Sustainordic network is to gather and distribute good examples of sustainable production and consumption in the Nordic countries and abroad.
Sustainordic has also produced a common Nordic manifesto based on target number 12 in Agenda 2030, to “ensure sustainable consumption and production trends” and has compiled twelve underlying sub-targets that can be linked to ongoing Nordic architecture and design projects where the expressed objective involves sustainability.
The network was established in 2015 when a number of Nordic organisations within architecture and design joined forces to reinforce their cross-border collaboration via a formalised partnership, with jointly defined visions and goals for collaboration.
Network partners include ArkDes and Form/Design Center in Sweden, in addition to Aalto University in Finland, DogA in Norway, Dansk Design Center and Iceland Design Centre.
ArkDes and Form/Design Center in Malmö took the initiative for and are project owners for Sustainordic. ArkDes is the administrative body for the project.
Sustainordic has been financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The conference Nordic Report: Architecture and Design – the Nordic Way in spring 2018
Read more
Open call for projects
As part of ArkDes Think Tank, ArkDes announces an open call for projects and funding totalling one million Swedish krona to support practice-based research within architecture and design. The open call is directed at architects, designers, researchers, interior architects, artists, planning architects and landscape architects who have an idea they want to develop. SUBMITTING DATE HAS PASSED.
ArkDes initiated this open call after noting a recurrent request, from both practicing architects and employees within the public sector and non-profit organisations, for the possibility to conduct in-depth research on an issue. For many, especially smaller offices, conducting such research is not financially feasible. This open call is intended to facilitate practice-based, investigative projects that focus on challenges and issues related to the city of today and tomorrow. The projects should be linked to the objectives identified in Politik för gestaltad livsmiljö (Prop. 2017/18:110) (“Policy for Designed Living Environments”)
What is practice-based research?
Practice-based research is a broad concept. It may refer to scientific research in practice-based areas; or to practitioners who use research methodology as part of their design tools. Themes and subjects may include everything from in-depth explorations of the design process to concrete design solutions.
Who can apply?
The target group for the open call is practitioners within the areas of architecture, form and design in Sweden. The projects must be a collaboration between at least two parties. Participants may be, for example, an architect, designer, researcher, interior architect, artist, planning architect or landscape architect. These may work freelance, in a private business, at a construction firm, at a municipality, within academia or for a non-profit organisation.
- The call is only open to professionals who are residents of Sweden.
- The call is not open to individual applicants.
- The project must be a collaboration between at least two parties, such as an architect and a researcher, a designer and a producer.
What we want to see?
- ArkDes Think Tank wants to support work that focuses on issues related to our designed living environment: sustainability, equality, participation, quality in the public space and segregation.
- ArkDes Think Tank prioritises applicants who want to conduct and initiate projects that develop architecture, form and design.
- ArkDes Think Tank prioritises applicants who have identified socially beneficial investigative design work.
- Practice-based, investigative projects in Sweden aimed at exploring an issue and producing new knowledge.
- The final format may vary but must be specified in the application: a publication, film, full-scale model, digital exhibition etc.
What resources are available?
- The total amount of funding is 1 million Swedish krona, to be distributed between 4-6 projects.
- Financing is given to the team to conduct the project at their own workplace/workplaces. ArkDes does not provide a workplace or equipment.
- The project should be able to be carried out between 3-6 months.
Timetable
- Open Call 29 January – 17 March 2019
- Application deadline 17 March 2019
- ArkDes (internal reference group) decides by 31 March which projects will be granted funding.
- The projects must be completed by 1 November 2019.
- A seminar about the results and experiences will be arranged in November 2019.
What is the selection process?
ArkDes Think Tank’s internal work group reviews and assesses the applications based on the selection criteria and produces a shortlist of names. ArkDes Think Tank’s advisory group consisting of members with different areas of expertise and interests is then consulted.
ArkDes Think Tank contacts the people on the shortlist for an interview. All applicants will also be invited to a seminar on the results and experiences in November.
How to apply?
Applications are made by sending an email with the following documents to hej.thinktank@arkdes.se.
- Describe your project (max. two A4 pages). What do you want to explore? Who is participating in the project? Describe your methodology and intended final result. The description must include a budget for the project.
- Attach between 1–4 references of your previous projects and assignments. This may be in the form of photographs, publications, film or other digital media.
- Attach the CVs of all participating persons.
- The application must be submitted in Swedish, but references may be in English.
Submitted files must be saved with the applicant’s name/organisation in the beginning of the file name, for example: lisa_karlsson_ansokan.doc.
ArkDes must receive the application no later than 23.59 (11:59 pm) on 17 March 2019. SUBMITTING DATE HAS PASSED.