Pia Palo

About
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piapalo@outlook.com

pia.palo@umu.se

I am an architect and urban designer, currently working as a PhD researcher at Umeå School of Architecture (UMA).  My interests lie at the intersection between the social and the physical, in understanding lived experiences and realities, and in how experimental and artistic processes can be used to think and talk about how and for whom we build our cities. In addition to research work, I teach at both BA and MA levels.

My ongoing PhD research is in critical studies of architecture and urbanism, and focuses on just urban transitions in the context of northern Sweden. I explore how spatial practice (and practitioners) can take on a transformative and productive role in imagining radical and inclusive futures beyond growth through theoretical and practical engagements with ideas of care and relationality.

The pavillion, a small addition by the river


Swell (swe. title Dyning)


1:1 BUILD / PROTOTYPING / PUBLIC SPACE
Year: 2019
Site: Umeå Riverfront, Umeå, Sweden
By: Design by Pia Palo & Viktor Nordling. Building team: Pia Palo, Viktor Nordling, Fanny Chaiarach, Marcus Aldefeldt, Oskar H Germann & Elina Lejerbäck.
My roles were: Concept and design development, material sourcing, project management and construction.
A pavilion for play and movement. Part of a series of structures adjacent to the Umeå arts campus, Swell is designed to activate the riverfront. Inviting passers-by to interact with the moveable façade, climb the exposed structure, and experience the created viewpoints.

The pavilion project was made possible through the collaborative effort of UMA1 2018 and included working not only with design, prototyping and building but also with financing and material sourcing. The project ended with a student-organized event, where dancers from a local school were invited to perform and active the structures.