Designed by Kristine Jensen and winner of the 5th Rosa Barba European Landscape award, the Nicolai Kulturcenter in Kolding, Denmark is transformed from the alley-like outdoor space of the former educational center into an integrated and inviting cultural space for activities in music, cinema, literature and art.

The circular amphitheater, a signature piece in the space, is used for outdoor theater performances, cinema and concerts blends new materials with old, introducing a Cor-Ten steel wall surround.

To offset the rather industrial nature of asphalt, old buildings and steel, a bit of whimsy is introduced into the space through neon flowers decorating the side of one of the buildings and white thermoplastic detailing graphic patterns in the asphalt and surrounding trees. This detail helps to bring in an element of playfullness as this courtyard will be used for the multidiscplinary acts of play while at the same time instilling a subtle sense of order to the otherwise vast, open space.

From Bustler: “It consists of various elements that are connected to areas designated for outdoor activities: the entrance; a garden where children can play and relax on the grass; a terrace for patrons of the cinema cafés; a large circular stage used for outdoor cinema in summer and for theater performances and concerts; a shopping area; a small garden next to the music hall; and a multifunctional square. A Cor-Ten steel wall and a Cor-Ten steel stage/platform have been built along the two terraces situated on the west side. The playground’s sloping terrain is prevalent in the project, and a new blacktop has been installed, which delimits the area with thermoplastic patterns and street paint.”

images via Kristine Jensens Tegnestue

Artist Nate Page makes art out of magazines, assembling beautiful multi-colored topographical models out of essembling pages and focusing on features like eyes in creating these beautiful landscapes.

From his website: “In my work I investigate the confrontations between materiality and images, occupied space and presence, potentiality and reality. I use methods of drawing and assemblage to set new rules to my physical surroundings and to alter found objects across my daily path. My immediate environment is inspiration and material. I enjoy transforming an image to become more physical and an object to be more image-like. Personal memories and consumer culture angst inform the works content while generating a visceral dialog between the banality and spectacular of the everyday. “

images via Nate Page

One of the things that amazed me about Europe was the friendliness towards and general acceptance of dogs. People take their dogs everywhere and rarely put them on a leash. Every morning walking to work in Germany, I walked along a lakeside path that was also the popular place for everyone to take their dogs for their morning romp. Not a single dog would be on a leash, but there were no problems with other dogs or people.

Only one time in my entire touring around Europe did I spot a sign urging people to put their dog on a leash, at that was in a vineyard. But after all, like the sign says, the vinyard is not a dog toilet. That was the one problem, people weren’t too keen on picking up after their dogs unless you were staring right at them when the business happened. An unfortunate occurrance that was worse in some cities than others.

There were also some fun things around Europe that catered specifically to dogs. One of my favorite sightings was at a gas station outside Berlin where they had a little area for people to feed and water their dogs, lovingly called the “Hunde-Bar”. Seriously, does it get any better than that?!

Then in Rome, outside of a little food market, I saw these “Cane Parking” clips where people could clip in their dogs while shopping. I saw these in other locations too. Sorry, I was having all kinds of trouble taking pictures at dusk, but you get the idea.