Shopping Spree - Part 3
Shopping in Luleå in the north parts of Sweden was the first indoor shopping mall in Europe. Built in 1955, designed by the famous architect Ralph Erskine, who wanted to create a mall for people to enjoy and socialize - even with the cold winter climate of northern Sweden. Apparently he got the idea when visiting a outdoor shopping mall in Canada during the winter.
Shopping had a very modern and futuristic look, often referred to as "Nybrutalism". Raw concrete pillars, walkways with catwalks connecting the different levels in the mall. At the top of the complex was a car exhibition, a symbol of the promising 1950's. The cars were lifted to the top using lifts, from the outside.
The mall was instantly a hit, with soon to be bond-girl Maud Adams posing on various postcards and billboards. Shopping also featured a rather large movie theatre that was modelled after a cave, unfortunatly it was closed in 1988 and has not been open since then.
Shopping. Luleå, Sweden, 1970's
Shopping. Luleå, Sweden, 1960's
Shopping. Luleå, Sweden, 1960's (Maud Adams)
Shopping had a very modern and futuristic look, often referred to as "Nybrutalism". Raw concrete pillars, walkways with catwalks connecting the different levels in the mall. At the top of the complex was a car exhibition, a symbol of the promising 1950's. The cars were lifted to the top using lifts, from the outside.
The mall was instantly a hit, with soon to be bond-girl Maud Adams posing on various postcards and billboards. Shopping also featured a rather large movie theatre that was modelled after a cave, unfortunatly it was closed in 1988 and has not been open since then.
Shopping. Luleå, Sweden, 1970's
Shopping. Luleå, Sweden, 1960's
Shopping. Luleå, Sweden, 1960's (Maud Adams)
Posted at 12:10 AM | 5 comments | links to this post 
My name is Chris and I live in Sweden. I love the 50s and 60s lifestyle and design. I am very fascinated by the architecture of the period too, for instance googie, modernism, the work of Joseph Eichler, John Lautner and Arne Jacobsen's international style. I have a large archive with space-age, library, bossa, cocktail, retro soundtracks and exotica music. I also believe that things were better in the old days.
5 Comments:
Hi Chris, You've got a neat blog. I love retro-"swank" style also and you've got lots of cool pics of things in Sweden with swanky style. I live in America but have Swedish heritage so I always love to learn and see things from "the home country." Nice pics you've put on your blog here!
Nicole
May 30, 2006 12:56 AM
Thanks, always fun to hear comments from my visitors!
May 30, 2006 1:15 AM
Goddag, skulle det kunna vara möjligt att få använda bilderna på shopping till en musik demo och till min myspace?
February 19, 2007 9:27 AM
Hej Vincent, jag äger inte upphovsrätten på bilderna så jag kan inte bestämma sånt. Men för min del är det inga problem att du använder dom. Du får dock gärna ge mig en länk eller något liknande från din sida.
February 19, 2007 6:16 PM
true, true very cool blog... retro les baxter & all.
November 21, 2007 11:59 AM
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