Multi-activity center in Gällivare
Where an arctic municipality gathers
The town of Gällivare, north of the Arctic Circle, is going through changes. Two centers will merge into one as much of the neighboring area of Malmberget moves due to mining. Following extensive preliminary work in dialogue with local residents, the municipality has developed a vision for a “small Arctic town of world renown.” Among other things, we have created a multi-activity center here.
The multi-activity center is part of the new Gällivare, which also includes Kunskapshuset, Vassara square, the Ice and Events Arena and the new athletics center. The building will be a hub for people of all ages and with interests of all kinds. The multi-activity center will be ready in 2024 and was designed by Michael Green Architecture in Canada. We were in charge of the program design, systems management and final collaborative project design.
“The municipality wanted a welcoming landmark building with architecture that has a link to the area,” says Mats Jakobsson, our lead architect on the assignment. “It should be a unique center that makes Gällivare an attractive small town to live in, and that spreads interest well beyond the municipality’s borders.”
Warm and flexible with local materials
We have gathered culture, a library, a pool, youth center and an indoor sports center inside this complex building that occupies an entire block. The underlying idea is based on the concept of the unifying space – a meeting place for residents, pathways through the building, and a division into comprehensible spaces that match the scale of the region.
“We wanted to make the building warm, simple and flexible,” says Mats Jakobsson. “As much as possible, we wanted to use local materials like wood and copper. The building should also be able to meet high environmental targets.”
The heart of the project is a central space for the community to gather, called the hearth. The multi-activity center is designed to be a shared space for all seasons. In winter, the central area turns inward to create a warm and welcoming environment, which is transformed in summertime and reaches out toward the city. An important part of the design was to connect people inside the building and create opportunities to socialize through a central gathering space between the building’s various areas of use (sports, art and the library). A restaurant, café and bar surround the hearth.
Pavilions for the people
To ensure the building fits into its surroundings, the complex structure is divided into a series of small pavilions. Using smaller building blocks allows the design to blend naturally with the town setting, making it unassuming and accessible. This approach also creates cozy spaces alongside larger areas for gatherings.
The pavilions are designed to respond to local environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and scenery. Varying spaces between them provide diverse options for light and air. They also differ in size and height, with two identified as “lighthouses.” The library lighthouse stands outside the southern square, while the pool lighthouse marks the northern square. Both are long and transparent, featuring glowing signs that welcome and guide visitors to the building’s core.
Where nature and landscaping meet
Landscaped areas of different sizes and orientations create diverse outdoor spaces beside the building. By integrating the landscape, nature becomes part of the entire space. This design also ensures direct access to fresh air and natural light.
