Diploma 2018

Karla Lesley Jaeger 

The subject and entrance to this diploma project has from the very beginning been xenophobia – fear of the unknown. This is all connected to the rather dreadful situation the world is facing today. Racism and extreme right-wing politics, never-ending wars, famine, increased differences between rich and poor and climate-related disasters are all factors that force people to flee from their homes and seek refuge and a life elsewhere.

Since mid 2017 violence has forced approximately 60 million people from their homes, causing the largest displacement crisis since The Second World War. Today, out of an estimated 7.2 billion world population, less than 500 million people live in the most peaceful countries, compared to 2.3 billion people living in the least peaceful countries that are being torn apart by war.

We have to face the fact that we inhabit a world in constant flux and change. We need to acknowledge that people move, settle and make homes in new countries and cities, and that this is the situation of the world today.

Download a presentation of the Diploma as PDF

SOUND AND MUSIC AS AN UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Although I have grown up in Bergen and feel I know the city fairly well, I would like to challenge myself by trying to understand and rediscover the city through the perspective of an immigrant. My starting point was to investigate different neighborhoods in the suburbs. By studying different housing complexes and typographies such as high-rise flats, housing estates, semi-detached housing and villa areas, and relating them to the social conditions of the different areas I discovered wide differences in the class structure and cultural identities of the Norwegian society. Through meeting several 1st generation immigrants in Bergen, I learned a great deal about cultural differences in these areas.

The social conditions of different neighborhoods related to different cultures as well as to different genres of music. It is quite clear that music as a language varies considerably according to different areas and their characters. One example could be: Fana, a privileged villa area in the southern suburbs where an interest for classical music has always existed but where electronic music has also emerged in recent years. This can perhaps be linked to homes with generous spatial conditions and a good economy, able to purchase classical instruments or expensive software. Compared to this an area like Loddefjord, a western suburb, with high-rise flats, poor economy, tough social conditions and limited private space. This leads to solutions involving expanding homes into the street and hanging out with friends. Great role models like Eminem and other rappers inspire you to use words as an outlet for your feelings and about difficult conditions at home.

I am, of course, aware of entering into dangerous territory here, so it is important to underline that these comments are general and not necessarily quite accurate. However, there are clear tendencies that suggest that certain genres of music evolve and belong to specific neighborhoods, even in Bergen.

CONVERSATIONS

Through having different conversations with immigrants from different parts of the city, I noticed that quite a few of them mentioned Nygårdsgaten as a street in the center of town that they often visited and got positive energy from. It is a street that stays awake longer than other streets in the center. It is cosmopolitan and vibrant, a place full of different nationalities where a lot goes on. The street is actually often referred to as ”Lille Mogadishu”, (little Mogadishu Somalia) and when just walking along the street in the afternoon a global feeling strikes you which is rather wonderful in this small town in the North of Europe.

The site represents a wide range of cultures. I became acquainted, and in some cases interacted with, people from Turkey, Somalia, Eritrea, Iran, Ethiopia as well as people from European countries.

MY PROJECT CONSISTS OF FOUR PARTS WHICH ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT:

Part 1. A strategy to activate the street and make it more dynamic: By placing “small boxes for contemplation” throughout the street and also in the courtyards, I am adding a new dimension to the existing public space. These small elements are connected to each other visually as well as being connected to the small-scale context in which they are placed. The rhythm and placement is also effected by the context. These elements have specific shapes that are contextualized and in addition to having sound- related acoustic qualities, they also have a friendly vibe to the cities inhabitants: a space you can escape the rain, a space you can read a book, a space you can take a break after shopping, a space you perhaps can discover a new space in a courtyard, small spaces for contemplation and for becoming aware of the cities auditory qualities. These boxes are open to everyone at all times, and are also a comment to the fact that the nearby Grieghall (a concert hall), although a public space, is not at all accessible for the public. The boxes also comment on the gentrification taking place in the surrounding area, and the eventual losing touch with small scale situations.

Part 2.
Discovering Acoustic Qualities: Exploring and investigating existing shapes within the courtyards: special shapes between, beneath and on top of existing buildings. Through drawing, taking photos, singing and playing the guitar within these spaces, the beautiful acoustic qualities were revealed.

Part 3.
The Sound Studio: By building a sound studio in one of the courtyards and connecting the existing acoustic spaces (part 2) to the studio through wifi microphones, the whole area can be used as a sound studio for recording sound and/or to make music. The shape of the sound studio is related to the small- scale boxes, only here it is physically closed the the public, but through a glass corridor consisting of several different shaped spaces with varied sizes and acoustic qualities, the activite within is visible through the glass, but the core of the building is closed.

Part 4.

Registering soundscape through movement and sound renders: By walking in the busy street, continuing into a side street that leads you to a courtyard. The atmosphere and soundscape changes completely and this is a beautiful quality that I am focusing on in my project. The sounds that surround you through these three points on your walk, are extremely powerful when you become aware of them. Sound is very often neglected in the eld of urbanism and architecture, and through this project I am hoping to highlight its importance.

SOUND RENDERS

Registering soundscape through movement and sound renders: By walking in the busy street, continuing into a side street that leads you to a courtyard. The atmosphere and soundscape changes completely and this is a beautiful quality that I am focusing on in my project. The sounds that surround you through these three points on your walk, are extremely powerful when you become aware of them. Sound is very often neglected in the eld of urbanism and architecture, and through this project I am hoping to highlight its importance.