Tordis Berstrand
About
Tordis Berstrand is Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Design, NTNU. She has previously held positions and taught architectural theory, practice and aesthetics at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China, University of Kent, UK, and the University of Plymouth, UK.
Tordis graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, DK, and holds an MSc Architectural History from The Bartlett, UCL, UK, and a PhD in Architecture from the University of Kent, UK. Her doctoral thesis by text is entitled 'Splitting and Doubling: Spaces for Contemporary Living in Works by Gordon Matta-Clark, Kurt Schwitters and Gregor Schneider'.
Having worked in architectural practices in London, UK, Tordis also has a background as a sound artist and writer on electro-acoustic music. She has performed and taught with the artist Parl Kristian Bjørn Vester (Goodiepal) and currently explores performative research strategies with the collective CRAC - Crosscultural Research on Architecture in China.
Tordis publishes and presents her work in international journals and conferences. Her research is situated at the intersections of art, architecture and philosophical enquiry with particular interests in critical spatial practices within the domestic setting, Kurt Schwitter's Merzbau and Merz ecologies, and situated writing as epistemological practice in the design process.
Publications
2024
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Berstrand, Tordis Henriette;
Schmidt, August;
Gilberg, Arnstein Olav;
Raonic, Aleksandra;
Haarsaker, Nina Katrine;
Živanović, Zdravko.
(2024)
Felles/skap/skip - satelitt.
Museum exhibition
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Sæther, Anne Marit;
Rødne, Gro;
Schmidt, August;
Berstrand, Tordis Henriette;
Raonic, Aleksandra;
Živanović, Zdravko.
(2024)
TRAPPA, CIRKA TEATER, LUFT-PØLSER; EXPLODING PLASTIC AIR -DANCE.
Performing Arts
2022
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Berstrand, Tordis.
(2022)
Inflecting the house: Upside down and ungrounded between walls, windows, mirrors and screens.
Technoetic Arts: A Journal of Speculative Research
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis;
Djalali, Amir;
Dong, Yiping;
Han, Jiawen;
Hoskyns, Teresa;
Roslan, Siti Balkrish.
(2022)
Dialogue on a Paradise on Earth.
East Asian Journal of Philosophy
Academic article
2021
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2021)
The Art of Living in a Double House: Everyday Aesthetics in the Space between (East and West).
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2021)
Occupying Merzbau – the critic, her words and the work.
idea journal
Academic article
2019
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2019)
Paper Architecture as a Site for Thinking, Writing and Spatial Agency.
Montreal Architectural Review
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2019)
What is an artist’s studio if not a living room in a house?.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2019)
The Possibility of Teaching Chinese Students of Architecture to Write (a House).
KnE Social Sciences
Academic article
2018
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2018)
La possibilité d’un espace-mur.
Chapter
2016
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Berstrand, Tordis.
(2016)
Jørn Utzon.
Encyclopedia article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2016)
Arne Jacobsen.
Encyclopedia article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2016)
Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint.
Encyclopedia article
2005
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Can you follow time from A to B?.
Bell Magazine
Article in business/trade/industry journal
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Jonathan Hill: The Illegal Architect.
Chapter
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Selfridges og Architecture Foundation: En Alliance mellem Konsum og Kultur.
Chapter
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Fluid …in a State of Flux….
Chapter
-
Berstrand, Tordis;
Donsted, Johanne.
(2005)
Samtidsarkitekten - The Compatible X.
Forlaget Multivers
Forlaget Multivers
Academic anthology/Conference proceedings
Journal publications
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2022)
Inflecting the house: Upside down and ungrounded between walls, windows, mirrors and screens.
Technoetic Arts: A Journal of Speculative Research
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis;
Djalali, Amir;
Dong, Yiping;
Han, Jiawen;
Hoskyns, Teresa;
Roslan, Siti Balkrish.
(2022)
Dialogue on a Paradise on Earth.
East Asian Journal of Philosophy
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2021)
Occupying Merzbau – the critic, her words and the work.
idea journal
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2019)
Paper Architecture as a Site for Thinking, Writing and Spatial Agency.
Montreal Architectural Review
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2019)
The Possibility of Teaching Chinese Students of Architecture to Write (a House).
KnE Social Sciences
Academic article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Can you follow time from A to B?.
Bell Magazine
Article in business/trade/industry journal
Artistic productions
-
Sæther, Anne Marit;
Rødne, Gro;
Schmidt, August;
Berstrand, Tordis Henriette;
Raonic, Aleksandra;
Živanović, Zdravko.
(2024)
TRAPPA, CIRKA TEATER, LUFT-PØLSER; EXPLODING PLASTIC AIR -DANCE.
Performing Arts
Books
-
Berstrand, Tordis;
Donsted, Johanne.
(2005)
Samtidsarkitekten - The Compatible X.
Forlaget Multivers
Forlaget Multivers
Academic anthology/Conference proceedings
Part of book/report
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2021)
The Art of Living in a Double House: Everyday Aesthetics in the Space between (East and West).
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2019)
What is an artist’s studio if not a living room in a house?.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2018)
La possibilité d’un espace-mur.
Chapter
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2016)
Jørn Utzon.
Encyclopedia article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2016)
Arne Jacobsen.
Encyclopedia article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2016)
Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint.
Encyclopedia article
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Jonathan Hill: The Illegal Architect.
Chapter
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Selfridges og Architecture Foundation: En Alliance mellem Konsum og Kultur.
Chapter
-
Berstrand, Tordis.
(2005)
Fluid …in a State of Flux….
Chapter
UTSTILLING
-
Berstrand, Tordis Henriette;
Schmidt, August;
Gilberg, Arnstein Olav;
Raonic, Aleksandra;
Haarsaker, Nina Katrine;
Živanović, Zdravko.
(2024)
Felles/skap/skip - satelitt.
Museum exhibition
Teaching
Courses
Outreach
2024
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LectureBerstrand, Tordis Henriette; Raonic, Aleksandra; Haarsaker, Nina Katrine. (2024) Weaving Ideas, Weaving Space. Friday Lecture , KIT - Trondheim Art Academy 2024-11-01 - 2024-11-01
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Academic lectureDong, Yiping; Berstrand, Tordis Henriette. (2024) Resilient courtyards and gardens – Revisiting the Jiangnan dwellings from an eco-aesthetic perspective. 4th International Conference on Heritage of China 2024 , Suzhou, China 2024-10-25 - 2024-10-27
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis Henriette. (2024) Circularity, community and full-scale construction: Architectural education as transformative practice. Architectural Lecture Series , London South Bank University, School of the Built Environment and Architecture, London, UK 2024-04-18 - 2024-04-18
2023
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis; Westermann, Claudia; Djalali, Amir; Hoskyns, Teresa; Wash, Glen. (2023) Architecture after the House: A Commitment to Sustainable Practice. Towards an Architectural Theory for Sustainability , Lancaster University, School of Architecture 2023-07-05 -
2022
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2022) Temporalities of Architectural Work. 4th International Conference on Anticipation [Online] , Arizona State University, Arizona, US 2022-11-04 - 2022-11-18
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis; Djalali, Amir; Dong, Yiping; Han, Jiawen; Hoskyns, Teresa; Roslan, Siti Balkrish. (2022) Dialogue on a Paradise on Earth. 24 hours of Philosophy of the City [Online] , University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands 2022-05-17 - 2022-05-17
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis; Hoskyns, Teresa; Djalali, Amir; Dong, Yiping; Goffriller, Martin; Han, Jiawen. (2022) The Nomadic Map. Nomadic Image 2022: The 7th Transdisciplinary Conference of Imaging at the Intersections of Art, Science and Culture [Online] , University of Central Asia, Naryn, Kyrgyzstan 2022-09-23 - 2022-09-25
2021
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LectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2021) Aesthetics, epistemology and coexistence – thinking and making worlds with a view of things to come. Lecture , University of Plymouth, UK 2021-11-11 - 2021-11-11
2020
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2020) The Art of Living in a Double House: Everyday Aesthetics in the Space between (East and West). Coordinates Conference VI: Art, Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Everyday Life [Online] , University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia 2020-11-11 - 2020-11-13
2019
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2019) What is an artist’s studio if not a living room in a house?. The 21st International Congress of Aesthetics – Possible Worlds of Contemporary Aesthetics: Aesthetics Between History, Geography and Media , University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia 2019-07-22 - 2019-07-26
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2019) The Possibility of Teaching Chinese Students of Architecture to Write (a House). Architecture Across Boundaries , Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China 2019-06-19 - 2019-06-21
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Programme participationBerstrand, Tordis. (2019) Suzhou courtyard – the void that holds the house. Workshop as part of XJTLU Summer Undergraduate Research Fund, 17.06.2019-23.08.2019. Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China [Internet] 2019-08-23
2018
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LectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2018) Constructive alignment in small and large size classroom teaching. The 5th Research-led Learning and Teaching Training Program , Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University 2018-08-24 -
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Programme participationBerstrand, Tordis. (2018) Rotterdam New Waterfront with MECANOO Netherlands’, Workshop organised by the Department of Architecture at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 26.02.2018-02.03.2018. Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China [Internet] 2018-03-02
2017
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2017) Bruno Taut’s Hyuga Villa in Atami, West of Japan / East of Europe [Panel Chair]. Bruno Taut’s Hyuga Villa in Atami, West of Japan / East of Europe , Xi'a Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China 2017-10-18 - 2017-10-18
2016
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2016) Passe-partout, or five times around the living space. 5th Derrida Today Conference , Goldsmiths, University of London, UK 2016-06-08 - 2016-06-11
2015
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2015) How Jacques Derrida provided a language for the architect. JD15 – Derrida and Architecture , The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture (KADK), Copenhagen, Denmark 2015-06-26 - 2015-06-27
2013
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LectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2013) Splitting and Doubling: Spaces of Contemporary Living in Works by Kurt Schwitters, Gordon Matta-Clark and Gregor Schneider. Lecture , University of Kent, UK 2013-12-02 - 2013-12-02
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Programme participationBerstrand, Tordis. (2013) Architectural Design for Industrial Heritage, Sino-UK Higher Education Cooperation, Beijing, China. Workshop organised by British Council Beijing, Architectural Society of China and the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 14-28 April 2013. Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Tsinghua University, Beijing, China [Internet] 2013-04-28
2012
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2012) 'Merzbau' and the problem of dwelling. Curating Merz: Kurt Schwitters in England Research Symposium , Merz Barn, Elterwater, UK 2012-07-17 - 2012-07-17
2010
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2010) Inhabiting the Spatial Object: Negotiating Dwelling in Kurt Schwitter’s 'Merzbau'. Architectural Objects, Discussing Spatial Form across Art Histories , Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, UK 2010-06-24 - 2010-06-25
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Academic lectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2010) Accommodating Difference: Rethinking Identity through Inhabitation of the Un/Homely. IDENTITY and OTHERNESS, Dealing with Difference without Borders , University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK 2010-05-28 - 2010-05-28
2009
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Programme participationBerstrand, Tordis; Vester, Parl Kristian Bjørn. (2009) Mort Aux Vaches Ekstra Extra. Workshop with Parl Kristian Bjørn Vester (Goodiepal) at Momentum - 5th Nordic Biennial of Contemporary Art, 29.08.2009-18.10.2009. Galleri F 15, Moss, Norway Galleri F 15, Moss, Norway [Internet] 2009-10-18
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Programme participationBerstrand, Tordis. (2009) MERZDORF 1923-1947: Mapping the DNA of Modernism, Reconstructing Schwitters’ Merzbaus. Workshop organised by Littoral Arts Trust and the Royal College of Art, London, UK, 01.05.2009-08.05.2009. Royal College of Art, London, UK Royal College of Art, London, UK [Internet] 2009-05-08
2005
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LectureBerstrand, Tordis. (2005) Jonathan Hill og den illegale arkitekt. Lecture , The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts 2005-10-23 -