K1 Riding Hall

Today, the Life Guards, the Mounted Royal Guard and the Police Mounted Unit use Kavallerikasern 1 for training and education. They also host public demonstrations and competitions on the grounds. We took on the roles of both design architect and general consultant during the project planning.

A symmetrical architectural language in the gates, horizontal window bands and roof lanterns lends the building a distinctly military character – order and clarity.

Modern barn with a symmetrical concept

The 105-metre-long riding hall contrasts with the surrounding brick buildings through its Falu-red timber façade, evoking a modern barn. Yet a symmetrical architectural language in the gates, horizontal window bands and roof lanterns gives the building a military identity – order and clarity.

“Our idea was to create a riding hall that is both functional and well attuned to its culturally and historically significant setting. The design concept is a symmetry axis that runs through the entrance gate of the main building and cuts across the parade ground. A fitting approach for a military building,” says Jan Izikowitz, lead architect at Tengbom.

Inside K1 there is seating for 750 spectators. The space is bright and airy, thanks to a slender roof-truss structure with large glazed sections that admit daylight without dazzling either horses or riders. The interior surfaces are clad in stained birch plywood.

“Elegant adaptation and high-quality coherence”

Every three years, Fortifikationsverket presents its architecture award to promote military building traditions and inspire high-quality design in defence properties. For the 2014 ceremony, the jury nominated three projects — and K1 claimed first prize.

The jury’s motivation included the following. “The building is awarded Fortifikationsverket’s Architecture Prize 2014 for its elegant adaptation to both the National City Park and the barracks environment, and for a high-quality coherence in which the contemporary exterior is carried through into the interior.”