A Sense of Russia

Abstract: By exploring the relationship between rituals and human behavior in relationship to architectural design the project "A Sense of Russia" searches for answers to new ways of sharing and experiencing culture over national boundaries, creating a stronger and clearer insight by physically engaging the visitor to be part of the other and the yet unknown. Using Russia and the program of the traditional Russian steam bath banya as a set framework, the project aims to address the subject through the implementation of one architectural incision. Questioning what place and shape a fragment of Russia would take in a non-Russian context like Sweden. By going through the different layers of human physical and mental interpretation, a patchwork of sorts, engaging in phenomenological and sociological ideas, this thesis explores how culture could be experienced through architectural design. Through the process of digging, casting and carving the project results in a proposal at the site of The Russian Yard located in Slussen, Stockholm. While unravelling the historical layers on site the proposal aims to offer new impressions and make the visitor behave in new patterns through unexpected scenarios. Trying to make Sweden see, hear, feel and maybe even make a little sense of Russia.