Uppsala University and Akademiska Hus wanted to encourage more people to cycle to campus. To support this goal, they gave Tengbom creative freedom to design a new bicycle house. As a result, the project led to a meticulously crafted timber building that now acts as a pilot project. In the long term, it’s meant to inspire more bicycle houses, along with outdoor study spaces and gyms at other university campuses.

A safe path towards enlightenment

The ambitions were high: those who choose to cycle should be able to park safely and comfortably – not leave their bikes in a flimsy rack on some forgotten back lot. Sustainable, low-maintenance materials and an architectural expression that harmonizes with the existing environment were also crucial. Located at Ekonomikum, the building takes inspiration from the trellises on the original façade. Its defining feature is the vertical wooden slats, positioned to balance visibility and screening. On dark evenings, the building becomes a small beacon, making the surrounding park feel safer. Good infrastructure is always key.

“It was also about safety – making the house into a lantern, almost a piece of jewellery. It should not be invisible.”

Eva Ranta Eskola, Senior Consultant, on Bicycle house Ekonomikum

Durable materials stand the test of time

Behind the slatted façade, glass panels protect the timber structure from weather and wind. The wood, treated with Kebony, will gradually develop a beautiful grey patina over time. The material requires minimal maintenance, and the all-important lighting is designed for long lifespan and low energy use. Tengbom’s involvement spanned the entire process. From concept sketch to final construction plans – in close collaboration with contractor IR-Bygg and lighting consultants from Sweco.

The result is a compact yet spacious structure accommodating 72 bicycles on two levels beneath a staggered gabled roof, partially covered with sedum. The rhythm of the slatted walls evokes an old barn, where light seeps gently through the gaps, creating a sense of warmth without enclosure. This simple expression holds the potential to become a recurring motif in the university’s long-term development of the area.

“We always start from the site’s conditions. But the form will be recognizable,” says Marianna Klinga, Lead Architect at Tengbom’s former Uppsala office.

Thousands of people pass through Uppsala Central Station every day. To make it easier for the steadily growing number of commuters to travel sustainably, the municipality has chosen to invest in a new, two-story bicycle garage. Situated right next to the platforms, it can hold up to 1200 of the daily commuters’ bicycles at once. The two floors are connected by a wooden ramp, making it possible to ride your bike between floors.

The building embodies the investment made by the municipality in sustainability.

A bicycle garage with wood in focus

The structure is built with a prominently visible wooden frame, clad in a glazed facade supported by black steel profiles. Its central location required close collaboration with the city architect throughout the project. The building’s three sides face different environments – platform, viaduct, and bus stops – each requiring coexistence with surroundings of distinct character. The restrained material choices of concrete, black steel, and wood were carefully selected for sustainability, giving the building both a distinctive yet neutral appearance.

“We have worked hard to keep the choice of materials and colours to a minimum, to highlight the beautiful wooden structure, and to preserve the building’s distinct geometric form without any distracting elements or additions,” explains Cecilia Öberg, lead architect.

The bicycle house is located in a rather dark and unsafe area, which is why we collaborated with lighting consultant Stina Marsh. Together, we developed a lighting design that illuminates and accentuates the warm wood.

Glass facade and lighting effects create a safe environment

The building is environmentally certified and accommodates approximately 1,200 parking spaces. Its transparent facade provides weather protection while also fostering a natural sense of safety. Additionally, the structure will feature a unique lighting program.

“The bicycle house stands in a rather dark and unsafe area. To address this, we collaborated with lighting consultant Stina Marsh. Together, we designed a lighting concept that illuminates and highlights the warm wood. We also created light effects resembling the Northern Lights. These will appear on the undersides of the wooden beams and shift in colour through programmed lighting,” Cecilia explains further.

Green roof managing rainwater

The team built the bicycle garage on two levels. A ramp connects the floors, allowing cyclists to move easily between them. We installed solar panels on the sedum-covered roof, which also absorbs rainwater to prevent drains and streets from overloading during heavy rainfall. The roof serves as a “fourth façade,” creating a lush, green view for those in the surrounding taller buildings.

International attention

In June 2021, the Architizer A+Awards nominated the bicycle garage in the Transportation/Infrastructure category.