Moss your City, an installation by PUSHAK Architects at The Architecture Foundation from 19 June to 6 August 2010, forms the official Norwegian participation of the International Architecture Showcase at the London Festival of Architecture 2010.

The project is an outcome of The Architecture Foundation’s international exchange programme for emerging architects in Norway and the UK – launched to identify and promote some of the best new architects from both countries, creating networks for creative and cultural exchange. Three Norwegian practices – Atelier Oslo, Haugen/Zohar and PUSHAK – visited London in January 2010. They were invited to propose an installation for The Architecture Foundation that explores the relationship between contemporary architecture, landscape and natural resources, and responds to the Bankside Urban Forest (a focus of the London Festival of Architecture 2010 – see page 8). PUSHAK was selected to develop their project and represent Norway at the London Festival of Architecture.

Moss your City is inspired by the Norwegian landscape and local green activist projects in London (see Green your city: Case Studies, page 8). PUSHAK presents moss as a beautiful, versatile and naturally abundant material. Through the installation at The Architecture Foundation, and the accompanying essay overleaf, the architects are encouraging moss to be reconsidered and embraced by architects and designers in the built environment.

PUSHAK was established in Oslo in 2006 by Sissil Morseth Gromholt, Camilla Langeland, Marthe Melbye and Gyda Drage Kleiva. The team has gained recognition for their road stop installations for the Norwegian National Tourist Routes. Vestfold Crematorium, a winning entry in an open design competition, is now under construction, with completion in September 2010. Moss your City is PUSHAK’s first temporary installation and reflects the practice’s inclusive vision of architecture that considers local landscape and climate, energy use and local human and natural resources in the design process.

Later this year, UK architects will return to Norway to take part in Oslo’s 4th International Architecture Triennale for the second part of this programme, delivered in collaboration with Norsk Form (a Norwegian government-backed agency who work to raise awareness of the value of design and architecture).