Refugium - Kivik Art Centre
A pale concrete structure is embedded in the lushness of a slope. Secretive, it does not immediately reveal itself to the visitor. On a site with protected landscape the Refugium inflict as little damage as possible, conceptually as well as visually. Refugium encourages movement in the landscape, gives shelter and allows rest. With the intention to present architecture as an artistic expression, Refugium is on of several sculptures at Kivik art centre that relate to each other.
The entire form is gathered around a nave made out of massive wood; between wood and concrete, a passage and an inner space are spun. As a staircase carves its way through the volume, it binds the structure even more tightly together, while it connects to the ground.
The passage opens up into the inner space, where the wooden core forms a niche, a bench. The ceiling opens up from the wall to reveal a thin slice of sky, a cut, through which light trickles down and both rain and autumn leaves are allowed to be part of the space. The boundary between what is inside and what is outside is blurred.
The materials, wood and concrete, are allowed to age in the hope that over time, the experience of both space and place will be further enhanced.
The form subordinates itself to the landscape with a foundation laid at the back, which allows the structure to rise above the ground and leave a large part of the site untouched.
