The attics at Vasahuset
Unused loft becomes 29 unique flats
Centrally located in Uppsala, in the venerable and beloved district Luthagen, there is a remarkable turn of the century mansion. The building goes under the name Vasahuset but is locally known as the “blue house” due to its rare, dark-blue colour. The tall building lies directly opposite the vibrant Vasaparken and facing two of Uppsala’s most well-known landmarks – the cathedral and the castle. Many people harbour a dream of living in Vasahuset and it is easy to see why.
New law – new possibilities
In the university city Uppsala, there is a constant lack of housing. However, this is not unique to Uppsala. The fact is that more than half of the municipalities in the country don’t have enough housing for the young. To increase the ability to build smaller dwellings, certain changes and easements to the Planning and Building Act came into effect on 1 July 2014. In connection with these new rules, a dormant idea to use the lofts of the Vasahuset was rekindled with our client, Setune. Suddenly, there was an opportunity to turn the idea into reality.
We developed a complete concept with a clear goal: to create a series of optimally planned 35 m² studio flats, ready for move-in during the first quarter of 2017. In autumn 2014, we signed a joint project with Setune and looked forward to an exciting challenge.
At Tengbom, we have a long-standing tradition of caring for, and improving upon, historically and culturally important buildings. We know culture!
We know culture!
The notable and well-known Vasa building is centrally located, in an area that is difficult to densify. To be able to enrich the area with many small interesting apartments featuring a fine view of Uppsala is an important aspect of the project. Since the house is important from a historically and culturally perspective, we have had quite a few challenges. There has for example been a long discussion concerning how best to add daylight to the flats. We consulted with the municipality and an architectural antiquarian to make this possible without destroying the character of the building. Tengbom have completed several projects before when it comes to renovating buildings that are historically and culturally important. We know culture!
Innovative possibilities
The existing loft offered us a challenge that you don’t come across very often. We have worked well with Setune who have been curious and open to new ideas the whole time. The volume of the loft spread over two levels made it possible to create no less than 29 apartments of approximately 35 m2 each. The flats can be reached from a common gallery.
The project is a concrete example of a sustainable solution to ease the pressure on accommodation in central Uppsala and in other Swedish cities.
The changes to the Planning and Building Act gave us the opportunity for innovation, by utilising the potential in a previously unused construction volume. The project is a concrete example of a sustainable solution to ease the pressure on accommodation in central Uppsala and in other Swedish cities. Now, the dream of living in the blue house can now become reality for a few more people.
