Bellevuegården
Living room between courtyards
At Tengbom, we excel in transforming courtyards into green, multifunctional spaces. For Stena Fastigheter in Malmö, we revitalized two 1970s courtyards in Bellevuegården, creating lush, sustainable environments where residents can thrive for years to come.
With thoughtful planning and design, the outdoor spaces near residences become an extended living room for both residents and passersby. These outdoor environments play a crucial role in residents’ health and well-being. They enhance safety and comfort and can also help reduce turnover in housing areas.
“A well-designed residential and outdoor environment is a profitable investment—socially, ecologically, and economically,” says Cecilia Parin, project lead and landscape architect at Tengbom.
Dialogue and collaboration with residents
“Our design for the two courtyards began with a resident dialogue and the existing spatiality, greenery, and topography,” explains Cecilia Parin. “Collaborating closely with Stena Fastigheter’s property managers, project managers, and the contractor, we devised smart, sustainable solutions”.
“Focus on greenery, cultivation, exercise, socializing, and play.” That was the brief from Stena Fastigheter when transforming the courtyards of the Svansjön and Hålsjön blocks in Bellevuegården. The work began with an in-depth dialogue as part of Stena’s relationship management. Residents, interest groups, and experts in exercise, accessibility, and cultivation were invited to develop ideas collaboratively.
“We’ve had a great and close collaboration with Tengbom,” says Anette Simonsen, property manager at Stena Fastigheter. “By listening to residents, we’ve created courtyards where people want to spend time. They know best what their courtyards need.”
A park of possibilities
The renovated courtyards retained their expansive lawns and hills, elements that define the blocks’ identity and were highly appreciated by residents during the dialogue. Each courtyard, shaped by its distinct built environment, topography, and vegetation, has been thoughtfully enhanced to offer two unique spaces with varied features and experiences.
Residents can play ball games and organize events on the lawns, while the public is invited to join exercise sessions led by local associations. A gravel exercise track connects the two courtyards, with activity nodes along the way for gardening, play, exercise, and social interaction—all enveloped in both existing and new greenery. Improved lighting enhances safety.
From dialogue to design: crafting courtyards where communities thrive.
A community hub around cultivation
Spacious courtyards offer plenty of room for larger gatherings or quiet moments in the sun or shade. Shrubs and perennials complement mature vegetation, creating inviting seating areas. Each courtyard also has a designated space with garden boxes available to residents, fostering a vital social hub that promotes beauty, joy, and ecosystem services.
“Today, residents use the cultivation boxes. Stena Fastigheter has even organized harvest gatherings and inspirational events with gardeners,” Cecilia notes. “It’s gratifying to see the residents utilizing ideas we developed together.”
Equal outdoor environments
The goal was to create outdoor spaces that encourage activity and social interaction—an essential aspect of enhancing the design of neighborhoods facing socio-economic challenges. The measures contribute to attractive, functional, equitable, and safe environments. The project was conducted in collaboration with Svenska Landskap AB.
“As landscape architects at Tengbom, we combine technical and artistic expertise. Whether working on new construction or renovating outdoor environments, we take a comprehensive approach. We tackle challenges like stormwater management, planting beds, lighting, traffic, and waste management. At the same time, we create inviting places where people want to be. Bellevuegården is a prime example,” Cecilia concludes.
