Glass Artist Pushes Cultural Designs and Summer Programs

Little known to most students, the IKEA furniture that adorns their rooms caters not only to the tenets of affordability and ease-of-use, but also to the Scandanavian design principles of sustainability and elegance.
Glass artist and Danish Design School Professor Charles Meaker discussed the merits of Swedish construction and opportunities for architectural study abroad with a handful of students at the Office of International Programs yesterday.
When Meaker asked for their thoughts on IKEA, the students—who were also snacking on Danish pastries provided by the OIP—listed the simple design and quality of materials as distinctive characteristics of the Swedish furniture company’s products.
Meaker, who is currently based in Copenhagen, Denmark, drew connections between these observable qualities of IKEA furniture and the core tenets that Scandanavian architects emphasize in urban planning and design.
“There is a concern for quality, simplicity, the elegant solution and detail.” Meaker said. “Architecture is for making things comfortable and cozy for society.”
Meaker added that these elements of architecture are a reflection of the culture in Sweden, a country with both the world’s highest taxes and one of its highest standards of living.
On behalf of the Danish Institute for Study Abroad, an affiliate of the University of Copenhagen, Meaker presented an outline of the summer study programs in architecture offered in cities such as Stockholm and Copenhagen.
According to Meaker, the summer architecture programs are focused more on the realistic elements of design than on its theoretical aspects.
Meaker said that his curriculum in the glass program emphasizes the question, “How do you come to an idea?”
He also emphasized the cultural aspects of the study abroad programs by contrasting the hectic schedules of American students to the more carefully paced lifestyles of Scandanavian design students.
“There is more time to reflect, to analyze things in much more detail,” he said.
Xinran Yuan ’10, who participated in the pre-architecture program in Denmark the summer after her freshman year, said that the experience reinforced her interest in architecture.
“Being able to see how Danish people design, respect design as a profession, and believe that design can change their life is definitely a soulful experience.” said Yuan, who is also a Crimson photographer.