Ropstenskajen

Just by the water next to the bridgeheads of the Lidingö bridge, we find Ropstenskajen. We see a neighbourhood that breathes tactility. Where the borders between town and nature are erased. Everything is made from wood – from the houses’ supporting structure all the way out to the facades and the balconies that are covered in wood panelling of varying profiles. By using a variation of roof contours, size of buildings and different colours, we are creating lively shifts in an environment that is still characterised by a strong natural unity.

Floors to walk barefoot on

Inside the dwellings, we find daylight, space and an unexpected ceiling height. Lidingö and the emerging Norra Djurgårdsstaden is always present when looking out at the water through large windows and from every apartment balcony or terrace. The sun protection is aided by part sliding screens in the facade. The use of the material is consistent even in the indoor environment, with visible wooden construction in ceilings and walls. Here, there are qualities for all senses. Sturdy floorboards that seem to be created for bare feet.

Living environments for the residents and visitors

Ropstenskajen is a living neighbourhood with about 130 apartments in the northern part and 120 apartments in the southern one with the opportunity for commercial premises down towards the water and along the main routes. We would like for the architecture in the area to also contribute to social activities. The buildings’ recessed entrances with social areas will become the porches of our time, places for spontaneous meetings with new acquaintances in the transition between the indoor and outdoor environment. We have consciously designed the dwellings to be surface efficient to be financially available to as many people as possible.

We believe that wooden constructions that are built and equipped with a modern technique create a healthy living environment, where we feel well – at the same time, we are encouraged to live in a sustainable and aware fashion.

Why wood?

Living in a wooden house is something special. It breathes, smells, and feels different. It stands the test of time and ages beautifully. With modern construction techniques, wood creates a healthy living environment where we thrive. At the same time, it encourages us to live more sustainably and mindfully.

But it is not only the humans that benefit from wooden houses. So does the environment. Wood is a completely renewable resource that forms part of the natural cycle. Wooden construction requires less intervention in the environment, and is twice as fast to build, compared with concrete buildings.

The greatest advantage with wooden buildings is that they do not emit any carbon dioxide. Instead, they bind carbon monoxide. Folkhem’s proposal to construct 6,000 dwellings from wood would save us approximately 600,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide emissions. It would be the same as stopping all the air traffic at Bromma airport for 50 years. Read more about the advantages with wooden houses and the initiatives on Folkhem’s website.