Where Södra Centrum is now taking shape, there once stood a brewery. Later came a carpentry workshop and several car repair garages. It is these latter 1950s buildings that formed the basis for the color and material palette of Atlas. Inspiration for the industrial character of the buildings was drawn from the site’s history, the client’s vision, and the neighboring former industrial quarters. This is clearly reflected in the exteriors – not least in the hand-laid brick façades.

“The houses have a simplicity that is consistent, allowing the material to speak for itself,” says Jesper Kryander, project director at Tengbom. “The few details that exist were developed through the brickwork, with reliefs, continuous glass partitions in the stairwells, and unpainted metal elements.”

The old factory buildings had a warm sandy yellow tone, a hue that we carried into the new brick. It also harmonizes with the surrounding 1950s and 1960s buildings. The block follows the local development plan, forming a slightly curved horseshoe shape.

“It’s a densely developed block, and we wanted to bring a sense of calm through our design language.

Jerker Kryander

Tall portals for evening sun

To reduce the overall scale of the Atlas block and define three distinct building volumes, we raised the portals to create generous entry spaces leading into the courtyard. Together with lighting designer Simon Malmström, we designed the entrance lighting to reinforce the spatial character and evoke a sense of security. The buildings vary in height from six to eight stories. They contain 146 apartments ranging from one to four rooms with kitchen. The lowest building to the west allows extra afternoon and evening sunlight to reach the balconies and patios of the inner courtyard. On the ground floor facing the street, there are commercial spaces.

A playful nod to numbers

One slightly unconventional feature of Atlas is its unified signage design at the entrances. Instead of traditionally mounted signs, there is a designated area beside each door where tenants paint their logo or address number.

“It’s a small nod to the old industries where companies painted their names directly on the brick,” says Jerker. “The brick surface is smoothed with sack-spackling, making it easy to repaint with a primer when the premises change tenants.”

From space-efficient homes to garden houses and guest rooms

Although much attention was given to the façades, the apartments certainly weren’t left behind. On the contrary, they are carefully designed, space-efficient, and offer generous storage. The block includes several smaller apartments to meet demand, as well as larger terrace apartments on the top floor. For residents in smaller units, the housing association offers a shared guest apartment for overnight visitors. Adjacent to the block is also a garden house with a sauna and a small gathering space that residents can book. Outside the garden house, a shared pergola-covered patio invites relaxation.

Powered by VR

VR to communicate the vision

An important takeaway from the project was the collaboration with JM in using VR sketches. Weekly sketch meetings helped the project move forward without misunderstandings or the need to backtrack.

“We used VR early in the process, involving the client’s project leaders, design coordinators, marketing team, and interior design lead in the creative work,” explains Jerker. “By working together from the start, we avoided later revisions. Often, ideas have to be scaled down or compromised in later stages. But since everyone was included from the beginning, we didn’t have to.”

One example is the two-story-high portals facing the courtyard.

“Usually, this type of portal is only one story high,” says Jerker. “We knew we’d be removing some apartments by increasing the height, but when we presented the proposal in VR, the spatial experience we wanted to convey became clear. Without the digital tools, before materiality is introduced, it can be harder to communicate the sense of volume. Here, we could identify the value early.”

The winning proposal, “Between the Trees,” is rooted in preserving the natural values of the site, creating a coexistence between humans and nature. The vision is a residential environment where the forest is not merely a backdrop but becomes an integral part of everyday life. The winning design consists of four buildings grouped around a shared courtyard with a common house. The buildings – one with four floors, two semi-detached houses, and one row of townhouses – will comprise 33 apartments.

Living in the forest’s embrace

Here, you truly encounter the forest. The buildings almost seem to have sprouted from the ground. Their wooden facades and balconies with sturdy columns reflect the strength and resilience of the trees. Glades are formed between the buildings, where greenery winds its way into the courtyard, becoming part of daily life. Large glass sections blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, and the balconies are not just places to rest – they are small gardens in the air. Lift the wooden floor and grow herbs, tomatoes, or berries directly in the balcony’s structure.

The competition team worked on the idea of a living environment where people and animals can coexist, and where the forest’s presence is felt in every detail.

Lift the wooden floor and grow herbs, tomatoes, or berries directly in the balcony’s structure

“Living with the forest doesn’t just mean living near nature but being part of its ecosystem,” says Annelie Drackner, architect at Tengbom in Gothenburg. “Creating architecture that lives with the forest required constant reflection from us: How can we adapt to the forest’s conditions while preserving its integrity?”

Gather in the courtyard house

The heart of the neighborhood is the courtyard “Gläntan,” a place for play, relaxation, and community. Here, children can build forts, jump between stones, and explore small paths. Behind the glazed doors of the courtyard house lies a flexible common space for everything from gardening to birthday parties or crafting on a rainy day.

The landscape architects from Mareld have preserved the existing natural terrain and ecosystems as much as possible. Forest paths connect the neighborhood to the surrounding nature, and the plantings in the clearings are chosen to support biodiversity.

“With the competition theme ‘Living with the Forest,’ we started from the site’s existing values and character, which we want to preserve, let guide, and dictate the terms for the design,” says Åsa Setterby Modeus, project lead landscape architect at Mareld.

But it’s not just people who will live here. In the forest and on the facades, there are bird and bat houses, insect hotels to protect vital pollinators, and perhaps even buzzing beehives. Here, there is a balance between humans and nature that feels as natural as it is enchanting.

Resilience for climate change

The proposal prioritizes preserving as much of the existing green structure and ecosystems as possible. The mature forest provides natural shade, protection against extreme heat and wind, and slows down stormwater. The buildings are also designed with sustainability in focus. Green roofs on the apartment building, courtyard house, and storage units help manage stormwater and improve the microclimate. Gardens by the semi-detached and row houses provide natural shade and promote biodiversity. The green balconies function both as cultivation spaces and sun protection during hot days.

“We want to build an environment where the sound of the pines is never far away,” explains Annelie. “Using natural materials and knowledge about the site’s life forms, we can create something that feels both harmonious and alive.”

Annelie Drackner

Part of something bigger

The plan is to begin construction in 2026. “Between the Trees” will be part of the larger Östra Strand area. The development will also include a preschool and a shared forest park. This project envisions a future where sustainability, community, and nature go hand in hand.

At Tengbom, we often say that a successful project results from good collaboration where architects are involved every step of the way. That was certainly the case with Prästhöjden. From the drawing board to follow-up, we worked hand-in-hand with Fristadbostäder AB, a client as passionate as we are about long-lasting design and cost-effective property management achieved through well-chosen materials.

The result: just as we imagined

“Taking a long-term perspective is highly beneficial for us,” says Kjell-Ove Sethson, CEO of Fristadbostäder AB. “By focusing on lifecycle costs instead of fixating on construction costs, Prästhöjden will generate economic benefits for generations to come.”

Magnus Almung, the project’s lead architect, adds:

“It’s rare in Sweden to be both the architect and the project leader, from sketching the initial lines to preparing tender documents and construction plans, attending every site meeting, and overseeing the entire process. But in this case, I was involved in every phase, and the result is a building I am especially proud of—a building that turned out exactly as I envisioned.”

For quality of life and community

The building features three stories, a centrally located glass stairwell, and a terraced floor on one side. The apartments are high-quality, with bright interiors, large windows that let in ample natural light, and solid ash parquet flooring. Kitchens are functional and well-equipped, and each unit includes a balcony or patio. Accessibility is a priority, with ample space for walkers. The top floor offers communal spaces to encourage interaction between neighbors, including a rooftop terrace for sunny days. Residents enjoy proximity to nature, essential services, and excellent outdoor areas for families and visiting children to gather.

Sustainable craftsmanship and smart energy

Prästhöjden is designed and built to stand the test of time, with massive wooden frames supporting the structure and a facade painted in classic Swedish Falu red. The property is energy-efficient, with optimized energy use and solar panels on the roof. Both material choices and functionalities were carefully selected to ensure longevity.

“Our approach was to design a building that blends with its surroundings and preserves as much of the natural landscape as possible”.

Magnus Almung

Following the principle of “the right material in the right place,” the design places the concrete structure underground in the terraced floor, while the above-ground sections use wood. Sustainability and environmental considerations drove the extensive use of wood, not just for structure but also as a key aesthetic feature. Exposed wood adds character to the apartments, stairwells, entrances, and facade.

“We aimed to create a functional building that’s also rich in beautiful materials and detailed craftsmanship,” Magnus continues. “Even the construction workers appreciated building something that stands out from standard prefab projects, which is evident in the final result.”

“Wood through and through”

The team selected a simple half-lapped spruce panel to create a harmonious yet varied facade. They mounted a specially milled 50-mm deep cover strip on alternating joints. For the bottom floor, a smooth finish provides a well-proportioned base for the facade. Fire sprinklers throughout the building make it possible to have exposed wood interiors and a fully wooden facade.

“This gave us great freedom to design the building around our concept, ‘Wood through and through,’” says Magnus.

However, as Magnus emphasizes, this is no “showy” house. It is a kind, sustainable home of thoughtful architecture, high quality, and practical functionality.

“We are proud and delighted with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our satisfied tenants,” concludes Kjell-Ove Sethson.

Photographs in the gallery were taken by Ulf Celander.

Prästhöjden senior living received a nomination for Construction Project of the Year in 2023. In 2024, Public Housing recognized it as a contender for Best Building, along with a nomination for the Red Paint Prize (Rödfärgspriset).