Client:Hellasvägen Invest AB through Daniel Svensson at Energy Service Management
Location:
Höör, Skåne
Assignment years:
2019-2020
Phase:
Ongoing
Collaborators:
Oevis
Imagine designing an entire neighbourhood around a single oak tree — and naming it after that tree. That’s exactly the vision for Ekstaden, a new district in Höör, Skåne. Tengbom has developed a proposal that transforms an industrial area into a thriving residential community.
Ekstaden creates a small-scale, dense, and green neighborhood where social sustainability holds high importance. The street space and other public areas support walking, play, and relaxation through thoughtful design.
Once a hub for metalworking industries, the Hällbo area is transforming into a vibrant part of Höör, with social sustainability at its core. The district’s varied small-town character will feature open green spaces and intimate streets, encouraging interaction, strolls, and play.
“Children should be able to kick a ball just outside their door. Here, you can enjoy small-town life without moving to a suburban villa.”
Anders Nilsson, Urban planner
In the heart of Ekstaden, a green and leafy urban park sits at the center of a pedestrian-friendly strip with residential entrances and commercial spaces. In the southern section, townhouses with small outdoor areas line the park, allowing residents to step directly into the greenery. This thoughtful framing creates a secure and vibrant atmosphere. Illustration: Olof Eriksson, Oevis.
Small-town charm in every detail
The design of Ekstaden draws inspiration from central Höör, ensuring it feels like a natural extension of the surrounding landscape. Existing streets and pathways will seamlessly continue into the new district, leading to inviting public spaces and green areas.
To maintain a human-scale environment, buildings will range from two to four storeys, with the top floors set back to create a softer skyline. Historic trees are carefully integrated into the design, enhancing the district’s leafy character. With its proximity to the historic Gästis area and the Kolljungabäcken stream, Ekstaden is more than just built around an oak — it extends and enriches the region’s cultural and natural heritage.
With its location near the train station, Ekstaden is the perfect home for young families commuting from Malmö and Lund.
Lower buildings to the south provide better light in the courtyards.The houses have a varied design to create a varied, lively feeling.The elevated ground floors in particular will be perfect premises for shops and restaurantsIn order to create a greener urban environment and a visual connection between the street and the courtyard, green areas are placed in each block.
Description:
A 330-meter-long enclosed volume has been added in front of the current Terminal 5, containing security checkpoints and areas for retail and dining.
With Project Porten, Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Terminal 5 have undergone a transformation. A streamlined security checkpoint, improved wayfinding, a bright and airy atmosphere, and Scandinavian design are key elements of our solution. The most striking addition is a 330-meter-long extension—part of Terminal 5’s new outward-facing facade.
An airport is, in many ways, its own universe. A threshold filled with anticipation. Special transportation brings you there, and perhaps your to-do list includes buying sunscreen or grabbing a pre-flight beer. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is no exception.
The challenge was to make the large, closed facade contribute positively to the public realm—creating something relevant for the site and engaging for visitors arriving by car or bus.At the marketplace at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, both the shopping and dining experiences are thoughtfully designed. It should also be easy for travelers to quickly navigate their way to the gates.
Navigating with precision
We carefully analyzed all the functions and interests present at the site. Passenger flows, security, and shopping impose diverse spatial requirements. Calling Project Porten both an architectural and logistical challenge is no exaggeration.
Thoughtful and harmonious spaces.
Our design approach focused on creating a functional yet aesthetically appealing framework that unifies various areas. We also sought to harmonize with the existing buildings, each reflecting the era of its construction.
Arlanda aims to inspire commerce and connection. Travelers should feel welcomed and inclined to spend time here. Clean, distinct, and curved forms paired with carefully chosen materials convey reliability, warmth, and hospitality.
“In designing the security checkpoint and marketplace, we employed a cohesive palette of white and gray tones, metal, glass, wood, and concrete. Transparency and outward views became integral design features,” says Rebecca Andersson, architect at Tengbom and Project Manager for Arlanda.
The design also considers existing airport buildings, like the 1970s Terminal 5 with its rounded stainless-steel cladding and the glass-clad Passagen with its distinct grid pattern.
Bold yet respectful
Tengbom’s most visible contribution to Terminal 5 is a 330-meter-long extension that houses the security checkpoint alongside retail and dining areas. The new building—a closed rectangular volume—is situated in front of the entrance hall, with its geometric character carried over into the new facade. Dynamic variations are created through light and shadow play on the facade’s panels.
“The main functions—security and marketplace—require facades without windows for security reasons. Daylight, however, was crucial, making this a challenge, but we achieved a great result. The facade exudes an intriguing sense of closure,” Rebecca Andersson explains.
Forms inspired by aviation
“Our goal was to give the facade an aircraft aesthetic—a material and shape reminiscent of airplane wings,” Rebecca explains. The curved aluminum panels are perforated underneath, creating a contrast with the smooth, curved upper surfaces.
Timeless interiors and high security
Inside, the design employs neutral, warm tones referencing past eras, such as birch panels and limestone floors from the airport’s oldest building, constructed in 1976. A continuous, transparent metallic ceiling conveys airiness and lightness. Horizontal elements—typical in airports—are prominent here as well. The result? A timeless design built to endure.
The two previous security checkpoints in Terminal 5 have been consolidated into one modern facility. Key considerations included effective lighting, clear flows, and high navigability. Durable and timeless materials imbue the space with a distinctly Scandinavian character. Architectural elements like columns, floors, and ceilings establish order and rhythm.
“To accommodate future operations and changing needs, flexibility was crucial. The new sections are essentially a platform built for future transformations.”
Rebecca Andersson
Clear and welcoming entrance to the new security checkpoint.
Smart processes for holistic success
Project Porten was complex, requiring clarity in the underlying processes. Collaboration was the golden thread throughout. Adapting to new security standards and other changes demanded robust and communicable concepts.
“Our goal was to find rational architecture that meets stringent functional and security demands while making Arlanda a vibrant 24/7 destination,” Rebecca concludes. “The renovation aimed to enhance travelers’ experiences and provide the best possible start to their journey. The additions strengthen the overall impression for travelers and those who work at or pass through the airport.”
Collaborative partner:
Keski-Suomen Betonirakenne Oy
Photographer:
Anders Portman/ Kuvio Oy
How often do you stop to admire a parking garage? In Lammenranta, there’s every reason to do just that. With its timber facade and sustainable construction, the new parking garage challenges the preconceived notion of gray concrete blocks. This is where modern technology meets traditional craftsmanship, resulting in a building that blends seamlessly into the cityscape while actively contributing to it.
“Together with Keski-Suomen Betonirakenne Oy, we won the architectural competition for the parking garage,” says Marcus Heinänen, Project Manager at Tengbom in Helsinki. “The new parking garage will be an important part of the cityscape and is designed to meet the high sustainability standards critical for the future of urban development.”
Architecture that stands the test of time
With its solid timber facade of cross-laminated timber (CLT), the new Lammenranta parking garage dispels the myth of the traditional “hard” parking structure. To withstand both weather and fire, spruce—a sustainable and locally sourced material—has been treated and used. The facade will age naturally, developing a refined appearance over time.
“Wood is a fantastic material to work with—not just from an aesthetic perspective but also because of its low carbon footprint. It’s sustainable, durable, and helps create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, we’ve been able to use long spans in the construction, making the building extra stable and functional,” Marcus explains.
Accessible and energy-wise
The parking garage maximizes energy efficiency with solar panels on the roof, generating electricity during the summer months. It offers 265 parking spaces, including 11 accessible spots, ensuring it meets diverse user needs. A separate triangular wing on the ground floor will house commercial spaces. This addition will help create a vibrant street life around the garage.
“Our goal with the architecture and design of the Lammenranta parking garage is to add value both to the site and to the people who will live and move here. We are confident that this parking garage will become a benchmark for how modern wooden buildings can look and function in urban environments,”concludes Marcus.
Wood for the climate and local craftsmanship
Wood is a cornerstone of Tengbom’s sustainability strategy, reflected in many of our ongoing projects. For us, it’s more than just a climate-smart building material. It also supports local craftsmanship and paves the way for innovation.
The revamped Helsingborg Central Station, with its addition of modern office spaces, marks the beginning of an extensive urban development initiative in Helsingborg’s new southern city center. Together with the Oceanhamnen district and the future H+ urban development area, Helsingborg C unites the city into a sustainable, strategic hub for growth.
As one of Sweden’s largest transportation hubs, Helsingborg Central Station serves as a nexus for bus, ferry, and train services, with approximately 23,000 daily train passengers—a number expected to increase significantly soon. The building also houses restaurants, shops, and offices. By expanding the existing facility, property owner Wihlborgs aimed to create state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly office spaces at the city’s most connected location. Their ambition extended to enhancing the functionality of the transportation hub while transforming it into a building the city could take pride in—a facility that meets the growing needs of the city and its people.
From zoning to execution
At Tengbom, we were tasked with realizing the vision for the new Helsingborg C, spanning all project phases from detailed planning to final construction across several sub-projects. The development occurred in two stages. The first, Hamnhuset, was completed in spring 2016, adding five floors with 8,000 square meters of modern, cohesive office spaces. When the second phase, Stationshuset, was finished in 2022, the transit center had been modernized and complemented with an additional 1,000 square meters of office and commercial space.
“We’ve worked with Helsingborg C, formerly known as Knutpunkten, from the planning phase onward, maintaining a dialogue with Wihlborgs and Helsingborg municipality. By focusing on site studies, core values, and project goals in a collaborative modeling process, we developed a comprehensive volume study and vision sketch, which formed the foundation for the new zoning plan. After its approval, we were entrusted with refining the project through every stage,” says Patrik Ekenhill, lead architect.
The new Central Station provides Helsingborg with a refreshed and distinct identity.
A contemporary identity for Helsingborg
The local office’s wide-ranging expertise, from design to advanced technical solutions, proved pivotal in delivering this project. Our long-standing collaboration with Wihlborgs also enabled us to handle interior design and tenant customization.
“This collaboration with Tengbom has been outstanding,” says Peter Siroky, property manager at Wihlborgs. “With Patrik Ekenhill leading this project, Tengbom has shown remarkable sensitivity to our needs, adapting the design to deliver results that satisfy all parties involved.”
Complexities of a busy hub
Handling a project of this complexity required a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating urban planning, architecture, and interior design. The station remained operational throughout construction, with over 40,000 people passing through daily, demanding a streamlined timeline. To meet these challenges, the construction used a prefabricated system with a steel column-and-beam structure and hollow-core slabs, creating flexible, column-free office spaces. The facade features prefabricated glass modules, reducing installation time and boosting energy efficiency. The project also achieved the prestigious Miljöbyggnad Guld certification for environmental sustainability.
“We appreciated Wihlborgs’ long-term thinking in choosing high-quality materials.”
Patrik Ekenhill
Hamnhuset: a floating addition
Located at the heart of Helsingborg, the facility is a dominant structure. To soften its presence, we designed two distinct buildings: Hamnhuset and Stationshuset. Hamnhuset features a five-story addition with a glass-and-metal facade. The structure appears to float above the original terminal, parking garage, and office spaces. Its design blends with the cityscape and waterfront. A bronzed stainless steel facade adds depth, shifting with the changing light.
“We appreciated Wihlborgs’ long-term thinking in choosing high-quality materials,” says Patrik Ekenhill. “The bronze facade is estimated to last around 100 years, adding both sustainability and a timeless character to the building.”
Stationshuset: a space for the city
The second phase, Stationshuset, is Helsingborg’s most public space, representing an even more demanding transformation. The design focuses on improved security, better flow, new commercial spaces, and a distinctive identity. The glass volume contrasts with the city’s traditional stone architecture, featuring expansive transparency and warm materials like wood and bronze.
Inside, new levels were created to optimize space, including coworking areas and a lively second-floor dining destination. The architectural design balances functionality with a warm, natural aesthetic, welcoming travelers into a modern, human-centered environment.
Helsingborg C by night
A sustainable future
Helsingborg lacked this type of vibrant, station-adjacent space. With Tengbom’s involvement, Wihlborgs has significantly enhanced the property’s value and revitalized the area. More people now move through the space, improving the perception of safety at the station and its surroundings. Connections to Oceanhamnen and the H+ area strengthen Helsingborg Central Station as a sustainable, strategic growth hub. The result is a fresh and cohesive identity for the city.
Partners:
Region Skåne, Trafikverket, Vellinge kommun, Sweco, Edge (landskap)
Photography:
Mads Frederik
A complex traffic flow, road noise and the absence of a safe space for waiting travelers call for creativity and clever algorithms. One side of the E6 now has a travel center spliced down the middle by an 80-meter-long, six-meter-tall and distinctive sound barrier. On the other side of the road, fields billow in the wind. Here is Vellinge Travel Center.
To avoid sound leakage, the noise barrier over the Vellinge travel center is completely intact. It cuts right through the station building, tightly shaped around the body of the building and then flows together with the landscape.
Vellinge Ängar is one of the municipality’s biggest public transport hubs, located directly beside the E6, between Malmö and Trelleborg. Thousands of commuters pass through daily, many in need of a safe and accessible travel center. This is a need that will grow as the area is developed with new homes adjacent to the recently built entry square. Cyclists can now park their bikes under a roof and continue their commute by bus. Meanwhile, those who arrive to the commuter parking lot by electric car now have access to charging stations.
“A particular challenge was to keep the acoustic sound barrier intact, to avoid sound leakage. That’s why the building itself is divided, with a waiting area directly through the sound barrier. The barrier is tightly draped around the building. Together, they form a unit where the building is subordinate to the barrier, at the landscape level.
When Tengbom developed the travel center and the sound barrier, focus was placed on the experience from both the station square and from the road.
Through parametric design, a construction solution emerged that made it possible to let wood slats in organowood form a vivid spectrum of shades. The rays from the sun now fall differently depending on the time of day and the season.
A backdrop-like sound barrier
The sound barrier runs directly over the station roof and plays a key role in the travel center. It welcomes travelers inside while blocking noise from the road. Using parametric design, where algorithms guide construction, the team developed a solution with OrganoWood battens. The battens create a vibrant spectrum of hues. Their distance and placement vary in three unique dimensions, allowing sunlight to fall differently depending on the time of day and season. Some sections of the sound barrier are transparent, with glass behind the battens. This design lets light into the square and offers views across the fields. The division into clear sections forms a stylized interpretation of the surrounding landscape.
Durable but natural materials characterize the Vellinge travel center. Slate on facade and waiting hall floor. The interior is yellow-orange as a contrast to the other natural materials.
“Getting to help create something that changes and improves the environment for thousands of people every day is rewarding,” says Torbjörn Håkansson, lead architect for the assignment. “The combination of major traffic flows, accessibility and striking design was an exciting challenge.”
A safe, 200 square-meter station
The station entrance facing the road acts as a beacon, signaling the new neighborhood emerging beyond the barrier. Inside, the waiting area feels open and safe, with no corners to close visitors in.Travelers can take shelter from the wind and rain. They can also use Wi-Fi from the local transport operator, visit the restroom, or enjoy a coffee at the café. Outside, a playground offers a safe and fun space for little ones, making the wait for the bus more enjoyable.
Elegant and natural materials
The exterior is made of slate, a durable and graffiti-proof material. The floor in the waiting area is also made of slate. The colors and signs inside are a nod to the local operator’s graphic profile, with a yellow-orange palette providing contrast next to the natural materials. The ceiling and the interior’s outer walls are covered in natural-color wood wool tiles, interspersed with lacquered ash sofas. The ceiling fixtures bring nature into the space while providing nice acoustics, with their soft wool foliage.
“The station is a very positive addition to Vellinge,” says Martina Ljung, head of planning and development at Vellinge Municipality. The E6 is very exposed to weather, so people appreciate being able to find shelter.”
Here, waiting should become an experience. Both from inside the station building and from outside the motorway and also the adjacent square.
The bicycle garage by the Central Station in Uppsala, has become a beacon of the city’s sustainability ambitions. Combining practical functionality with a strong design concept, we have sought to make the area safer, while reenforcing Uppsala’s identity as a bicycle community and as Global Climate City of the Year.
A sustainable bicycle garage with a bold and solid design.
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 colors 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 color 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.
Arlanda VIP Services, the VIP terminal at Arlanda airport in Stockholm, Sweden, might be described as the essence of Nordic luxury. Here, Tengbom architects have created an honest design that makes traveling easy and enjoyable and provides an almost sacral experience.
Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, the largest in Sweden, receives its fair share of the international jet set. As of 2018, it has a brand-new way to give them the true VIP welcome (or farewell). Tengbom have designed a discreet piece of architecture, anonymous to its surroundings, which brings superstars, politicians and royalties down to earth in true Scandinavian style.
Airport VIP Services as a project is a new, free-standing hub within the airport, one of very few of its kind created around the globe. That this building is a vital part of Swedavia Airports‘ strategy to become Scandinavia’s leading airport was an integral aspect of the project brief, which also included landscape and interior design.
Airport regulations turned into qualities
From the outside, this building is as discreet as it is functional, with many specific regulations to adhere to as part of an international airport that offer challenges to the architect. For example, due to safety regulations there must be no insight into the building.
The solution, to let all windows face upwards, now provides lots of daylight while offering the guest a spectacular view of what’s to come. Similarly, the interior use of massive wood creates a most welcome silence in otherwise very loud airport surroundings. In many ways, what begun as architectural challenges for this building now make up its strengths and identity.
Inspired by its Swedish surroundings
The architectural concept explores contrasts—hard and cold versus soft and warm—drawing inspiration from the Swedish landscape and culture. A discreet concrete shell protects the house, its interior, and its temporary inhabitants, much like a traditional stone wall. Inside, wood takes center stage, reinforcing the connection to Swedish surroundings. Simple wood facades and paneling create a natural flow. Leather-bound stair rails add texture, while neutral color schemes enhance the calm atmosphere. A carefully curated selection of exclusive Scandinavian furniture balances functionality with expressive design.
An escape from the world outside
The main objective of the architects was to create a unique and memorable experience for the many influential people passing through the house. What are their needs, demands, desires?
The result is an environment which emanates stillness and relaxation from is very core. This is the essence of Nordic luxury. The spatial qualities created evoke a sense of sanctuary, time for reflection, and spiritual experience. Here, the guests can shake off the stresses of travel, escape everyday life for a while, and prepare for their onward journey. Workspaces combine with a central dining or social area, each offering clean architectural touches that lift the building and its holistic design.
As a first kiss of Stockholm or a final farewell, Arlanda VIP Services offers a visual experience. Its impact lingers long after its unique occupants take flight.
Helsingborg Central Station has gotten a new southern entrance. But Södra entrén – “The South Entrance” in Swedish – is far more than just a shortcut to the tracks.
As well as a new passenger flow and a bicycle hub, the new entrance is also a landmark and a destination that strengthens the city’s commercial ties.
The Municipality of Helsingborg has witnessed a sharp increase in traffic to and from the city. Looking forward to 2020, it is estimated that daily visitors will increase from the current figure of 22,000 to 32,000. This is a pressure that Knutpunkten – which was designed by Ivar Krepp in 1984–1991 – could not handle in its current state, which is why the decision was made to create a new exit and approach at the root of the track’s southern extension. Furthermore, the southern entrances were in a worse condition than the northern ones, which affected the flow of pedestrian traffic. Knutpunkten is currently undergoing a transformation and renovation, yet another task that fell on us.
Photo: Felix Gerlach
“The new entrance is in a way a natural result of the long platforms underground. An important aspect of the project is to reinforce Knutpunkten’s connection with the southern part of the city, with the campus and the future H+ area. The new traffic flows, more activity and vibrancy in the area will hopefully contribute to reduced segregation in the town”, says the architect in charge Patrik Ekenhill.
A competition that was won
Photo: Felix Gerlach
In 2013, the Municipality of Helsingborg arranged a competition for architects relating to the new entrance, a pre-qualification with tenders. Tengbom Helsingborg won the tender in collaboration with Tyréns, an urban planning consultancy company. We were general consultants during the entire project phase, with all other consultants working under us.
“We designed the building as a sculptural element to stand out in an area where so many people head south every day”, says Linda Raimosson, former office manager at Tengbom in Helsingborg.
Below is one extract from the competition entry: We regard the area as a transition point between various ways of travel and movement in the city, but also as a transition between different parts and rooms of the city. It will be a dramatic change from today’s dominating and yet anonymous multi-storey car park to an attractive component in the cityscape that contributes to increased activity and pulse.
“We designed the building as a sculptural element.”
– Patrik Ekenhill, Architect
The back became the front
In other words, the new entrance transformed an anonymous backside of the station into another front entrance. This has also contributed to increased traffic safety, as pedestrians walking to the campus area previously had to cross the bus terminal, which has been avoided with the new flow of traffic. A new pedestrian crossing over Järnvägsgatan, which leads onto Bollebrogatan, also adds to a more direct link to the local Stadsparken park and the south district of the city. A further aim is to promote cycling in the city. A total of 450 bicycle spaces have been created between the entrance steps and freely on an open platform. There are also other facilities such as a pump, a repair station and lockers.
Photo: Felix Gerlach
A prominent landmark
In addition to solving many of the problems the city was experiencing, the entrance has become the landmark that we proposed and were hoping for.
“Our main architectural idea of a collective roof builds on a sequence between the top and bottom. The characteristic roof has a neutral, square plan shape. Each section is carefully modified to create variation. A vaulted bottom meets a curved top in the direction of the tracks. This combination evokes a sense of motion and echoes the softly undulating topography of the City Park,” says Patrik Ekenhill.
Photo: Felix Gerlach
Photo: Felix Gerlach
Photo: Felix Gerlach
Photo: Felix Gerlach
Photo: Felix Gerlach
Two slate-clad wall plates rise from the track area, supporting the sculptural timber roof. Glass panels provide extra protection against the elements while maintaining an open feel. Lighting plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere. Indirect and hidden fixtures illuminate the bike rack roof, creating a soft and seamless effect. To enhance the space, we removed two emergency stairways and transformed the shafts into circular openings that channel daylight onto the platforms. At ground level, benches invite travelers to pause and take in the light-filled space.
The new entrance transformed an anonymous backside of the station into another front entrance.
A metaphor for travelling
Just like the act of travelling, the new entrance is very much about transitions, both physically and architecturally, as well as metaphorically. Physically, it’s about understanding the flow of traffic and people. Architecturally, we are talking about open encounters – heavy meets light and geometry meeting organic forms. Metaphorically, you might say that the South entrance is a symbol for the transition to a new travel area, ready for the future.
“This is fantastic architecture on a small scale. We are incredibly proud that a relatively small project can make such a great impression”, says Linda Raimosson.
250,000 people pass through Stockholm central station on a daily basis. If you were one of them, you would not have missed all the development that has been going on here between 2008–2014 – and a station that has been fully functional the entire time.
In 2008, Jernhusen asked us to modernize and develop large parts of Stockholm’s Central Station. As one of Sweden’s most important crossroads, the station needed to handle both current and future demands. The growing number of travelers made this especially crucial. With many separate improvements required, we had the chance to create a comprehensive development concept. This allowed us to approach the project holistically and ensure a cohesive transformation.
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
”Our vision was to improve the experience of the visitors through modernization and design that exceeded their expectations and at the same time preserve and highlight the fine qualities of the old building”
Mark Humphreys, Chief Architect
A meeting place that offers the unexpected
Jernhusen wanted Stockholm’s Central station to fulfil its potential as a meeting place for people from around the world. A modern travel centre with exceptional service, shops and restaurants that is safe, easy to navigate, accessible and where the environment and the details make a lasting impression on the visitors. To translate Jernhusen’s vision required a holistic approach but we also saw the opportunity to define some special areas that offer the visitors unexpected experiences.
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
It has been said that one of the easiest ways of judging a building is by visiting its toilets. To design very nice toilets felt obvious to us. Inspired by the romantic, Swedish landscape motifs that are painted on the walls of the Central Hall, we wanted to enhance the experience of being a traveller here too. With accents of wood, white glass and the picture of a sparkling fireplace, the design of the toilets is an abstraction of winter in the mountains – the cottages, snow and ice.
Photo: Åke E:son LIndman
Art, movement, and new meeting places
To let new art enhance places that would otherwise be boring and dead also offers something unexpected. We chose to decorate the empty space between the new stairs and the escalators that today lead from the north hall up to the City terminal. We were looking for a dynamic and digital experience and the choice was the artists Bigert and Bergström. Their installation, which shows tomorrows weather through atmospheric molecules of various colour were developed in consultation with us so that it can relate to the architecture in a seamless manner.
The third aspect is the new serving spaces. In the north hall, we designed a calm area which all guests can use, screened off through a low white wall from white composite material offering an open visual sight line both for the navigability and for security reasons.
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Structural limitations – creative solutions
Stockholm’s commuters will likely notice the biggest change beneath the Central Hall. We initiated the development of these spaces, working within the existing structural constraints. Since much of the structure is load-bearing, we had to stay within the original dimensions. Instead of altering the layout, we focused on creating a new and positive experience for travelers. Through a series of architectural strategies, we transformed the space without expanding it.
The streamlined environment, without sharp edges and corners, creating natural flows that leads the travellers on.
We wanted to create a light, airy and calming environment but could not change neither the width of the passage nor the height of the ceilings. A smooth, new fixed ceiling in white that softly arches up towards the Ring (the famous opening in the joists that connect the surface with the Central Hall above) and round recessed light sources that give the ceiling a hollow effect became part of the solution. Circle symbolism contained in the ring design is also found, for example, in the contrast marking of the windows and the rounded corners on the surface of new wall sections. The streamlined environment, without sharp edges and corners, creating natural flows that leads the travellers on.
To bring in as much natural light as possible and improve intuitive wayfinding, we enhanced vertical connections. We added two new openings, allowing stairs and escalators to lead up to the Central Hall. We also opened up existing load-bearing walls as much as possible. By setting the retail spaces one meter back from the main passage, we created a more open and spacious shopping area.
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Minimalist details enhance the listed building
We set out to highlight the original qualities of the Central Hall. The remaining parts of the Central Station from 1871, including the hall itself, are listed buildings. This meant we could not alter or distort the space. To respect the heritage, we took a minimalist approach. We worked with glass and slender steel details to introduce major changes while preserving the original atmosphere.
New shops and restaurants now fill the space, offering a wide range of products tailored to travelers’ needs. As architects, we advised on which commercial players should be given space. We also developed a detailed design manual for tenants, drawing inspiration from one of the station’s historic shop signs.
Hötorget Subway Station is one of Stockholm’s oldest stations and it opened in 1952. Our project, which was to develop the station, is part of a larger concept called Mötesplats SL – a long-term investment in more travellers and happier travellers. Several of the busiest tube stations in Stockholm are now being developed into meeting places for both travellers and residents from the surrounding area where you can run your errands in a safe and inviting environment.
Easy to find with a better overview
Are you one of the 30,000 people in Stockholm who pass through Hötorget Subway Station on a daily basis? Then you cannot have missed the transformation that the central ticket hall has undergone during the last few years. We have upgraded the ticket hall for increased comfort and service with a clearer character. Transparency and translucency between shop and the ticket hall, light materials and an airy design creates an inviting, peaceful and pure environment for travellers to spend time in.
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
Photo: Åke E:son Lindman
The biggest challenge—and the most noticeable improvement—is the clearer layout with less visual noise. For those who have struggled to find the right exit, navigating the station is now much easier. Four staircases lead directly to each corner of the Sveavägen–Kungsgatan junction, making it quicker to find the way.
A space both for travellers and local residents
Inside the ticket hall, new shops and restaurants serve travellers, passers-by, and local residents. The Mötesplats SL project sets a clear goal. Each station should strengthen the local identity and contribute to the area’s character.
Horizontal elements—typical in airports—are prominent here as well. The result? A timeless design built to endure.
To withstand both weather and fire, spruce—a sustainable and locally sourced material—has been treated and used. The facade will age naturally, developing a refined appearance over time.
