Moss Your City: An installation by PUSHAK

Moss Your City, by the Oslo-based architectural practice PUSHAK. is the outcome of The Architecture Foundation's international exchange programme for emerging architects in Norway and the UK - launched to identify and promote the best new architects from both countries, creating networks for creative and cultural exchange.

PUSHAK was established by Sissil Morseth Gromholt, Camilla Langeland, Marthe Melbye and Gyda Drage Kleiva with an inclusive vision of architecture that considers local landscape and climate, energy use and local human and natural resources in the design process. The practice quickly gained recognition for, amongst other projects, a series of rest stops along the National Tourist Routes that placed contemporary architecture within the Norwegian landscape.

Moss your City is PUSHAK's first project overseas and furthers their research into the relationship between contemporary architecture, landscape and natural resources. It was inspired by the Bankside Urban Forest (a focus area of the London Festival of Architecture 2010) and by the work of green activists across South London.

Responding to a long history of moss in architecture - from traditional Japanese gardens to Victorian mosseries - PUSHAK presents a spectacular moss landscape that is designed to inspire and enchant. The aim is to show moss as a beautiful and versatile material that can work in harmony with contemporary design. Naturally abundant and requiring low maintenance, moss could be exploited to create new types of architecture that unite nature and architecture.

PUSHAK believes that, along with architects and planners, individuals should also take responsibility for greening cities to create more amenable, vibrant and healthier places to live. The accompanying catalogue shows how you can get involved in urban gardening projects in South London, as well as providing a recipe for 'moss graffiti' so that you too can Moss Your City.

Moss your City is the official Norwegian participation in the International Architecture Showcase, organised by the British Council and The Architecture Foundation for the London Festival of Architecture 2010. Later this year, UK architects will return to Norway to take part in Oslo's 4^th International Architecture Triennale.

Installation Design: PUSHAK (Sissil Morseth Gromholt, Camilla Langeland, Marthe Melbye, Gyda Drage Kleiva and Isabel Ruiz)
Curator: Elias Redstone, The Architecture Foundation
Project Manager: Richard Collis, Jackson Coles
UK Supporting Practice: Metropolitan Workshop
Construction: Construct Scenery & Living Props
Lighting Design: Speirs and Major
Lighting Equipment: Philips & Architainment
Structural Engineers: Adams Kara Taylor
Project Intern: Anjeli Placzek
Furniture: Hive
Moss Consultants: 6a Architects
Norwegian Partner: Norsk Form

Thank you to: Erland Flaterud, Stein Iversen, Thomas Aastad and Anne Ulset at the Royal Norwegian Embassy; Alistair Huggett at Southwark Council; Stephen Witherford at Witherford Watson Mann Architects; Adrian Ma at Chameleon PR; Ellie Stathaki; and Isklar Water.

Photo (top): Moss Your City. Photography (c) The Architecture Foundation / Guy Archard
Photo (below): PUSHAK

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