Archives

Frälsningsarmén

A cultural heritage mystery
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Accessibility, Building Preservation & Restoration, Culture, Renovation & Transformation
Client:
Entrepreneur: Construction company Viktor Hanson
Location: Sankt Göransgatan 61 Stockholm
Assignment years: 2016-2019
LOA: 900 sqm
Collaborators: Tyréns, Acoustic Environment, BK Calculation Consultants, Fire Protection Team, Storköksbyrån, VVS-Kompetens, ÅF, COWI

Frälsningsarmén’s heritage-listed building on Kungsholmen, Stockholm, was in need of both restoration and modernisation. Through a careful balance of reuse and reconstruction, the goal was to preserve its identity while adapting it for today’s needs. But first, one crucial question had to be answered: what lay hidden behind the walls?

A building waiting to be rediscovered

Hantverkaren 18, home to Frälsningsarmén’s 6th Corps, was built in 1911. Over the years, the organisation’s needs had changed, yet the facilities had not kept pace. The kitchen was too small, the lighting inadequate, and the overall wear and tear significant. The work environment needed improvement, and the building required a comprehensive restoration that honoured its past while supporting its future.

With a guiding principle of “preserve and adapt,” the renovation focused on enhancing both function and aesthetics while maintaining the building’s historical character.

A space for many purposes

The updated facility needed to accommodate a variety of functions, including:

  • A flexible assembly hall with a balcony for worship services and large gatherings
  • Meeting rooms, corridors, kitchens, storage, showers, and changing rooms
  • A multifunctional dining room, central to Frälsningsarmén’s mission, where meals are served to those in need

“Buildings are living organisms, shaped by the people who use them. Restoration is never static. It is dynamic, with history and humanity at its core.”

Marco Ercole, Architect

Photo: Sten Jansin

Messages from the past

To uncover the building’s true identity, we had to look back. The investigative phase, known as anamnèsis, the Greek word for “recollection” — guided every decision. The team studied oral histories, archival drawings, historical documents, and photographs, combining historical research with insights from Frälsningsarmén’s staff.

Photo: Sten Jansin

Then, the team conducted a physical investigation — scraping paint layers, uncovering hidden spaces, and evaluating what could be restored, reused, or reconstructed. During the process, they discovered hidden doors, which were carefully repaired and reinstated. Long-buried wood paneling was uncovered and restored, while paint analysis informed a subtle, historically inspired colour scheme. Sealed-off skylights were reopened, allowing natural light to once again fill the dining hall. Additionally, the checkerboard-patterned linoleum flooring was replaced, bringing back the original wooden design.

We reopened the skylights in the dining hall to let light into the premises. Photo: Sten Jansin.

Time, knowledge, and respect

Restoring a 100-year-old building requires more than just technical expertise, it demands patience, precision, and deep respect for history.

By carefully weaving Frälsningsarmén’s legacy into the present, we ensured that its mission, history, and identity remain visible and meaningful for generations to come.

Photo: Stadsmuseet

Contact person

Lina Swanberg

+46 8 412 53 36

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Klosterhuset – Vreta Kloster

An exhibition in itself
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Accessibility, Building Preservation & Restoration, Culture, Renovation & Transformation
Client: Svenska kyrkan
Location: Linköping
Assignment years: Was inaugurated 2019
Construction period: Monastery house 13th century, Church stable 19th century, storage 2019
Collaboration for exhibition design: Archaeologist Göran Tagesson
Awards and recognitions: Nominated for Helgopriset 2023

Some buildings are fortunate enough to enjoy long and eventful lives. Over time, they may change functions, adapting to new needs while retaining their essence. When we developed Vreta Kloster, our aim was to create a vibrant and inviting destination — one that would open up Klosterhuset to all.

At the entrance to Berg’s locks outside Linköping lies Sweden’s first monastery, originally founded as a Benedictine convent. Today, only the ruins and Vreta Kloster Church remain. But there is also Klosterhuset — the former grain storehouse of the nuns. The site has long been a popular destination, drawing visitors for both religious and cultural experiences.

“For historic buildings like this, the key to longevity is meaningful use. When they serve a purpose, they stand a greater chance of being cared for and developed over time,” says Magnus Almung, lead architect at Tengbom.

Revealing Klosterhuset

Upon arrival, visitors are first greeted by the impressive church and its ruins — a natural focal point in the landscape. Behind the towering trees, Klosterhuset was once barely visible. There was no clear approach to the building, and when visitors finally found their way there, they were met with closed doors, unable to experience the beautiful vaulted interiors.

“The goal of the renovation was to enrich Vreta Kloster as a visitor destination with engaging exhibitions—sparking curiosity about the site’s architecture, archaeology, and history, all leading up to a well-earned café break,” Magnus explains.

Now, Klosterhuset is more visible. Carefully pruned trees allow glimpses of the building from the gravel square between the church and Klosterhuset. A winding path leads visitors between the trees and along the building’s long side, guiding them through a newly created opening in the old stone wall, directly opposite the church entrance. At the southern gable, a gravel courtyard connects to the historic stone walls.

We preserved history while making it accessible for the future

Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

Restored with care

Klosterhuset, dating back to the 13th century, was already in good condition. Some minor cracks in the masonry were repaired, and the roof — recently re-laid with traditional wooden shingles—was left untouched. To ensure year-round use, we carefully adapted the building, adding glazed doors within the existing openings.

The four wooden doors on the eastern side, remnants of Sigurd Curman’s early 20th-century restoration, were likely part of the original structure. “To improve the indoor climate, we added slim steel-framed glass doors behind the wooden ones,” Magnus explains.

The challenge was balancing functionality with preservation — enhancing comfort without compromising the historic wooden doors or the building’s unique, atmospheric light.

Thoughtful accessibility

Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

With ground levels already nearly flush with the thresholds, accessibility improvements required minimal intervention. To ensure inclusivity, a reversible modification allowed for step-free entry, and the automatic door mechanism was discreetly embedded in the floor. Meanwhile, the southern hall was designed as a flexible space, suitable for concerts, lectures, confirmation classes, exhibitions, and even a café. Additionally, a discreet wire system along the walls enables flexible lighting and display arrangements.

“With materials and patina this rich, our approach had to be careful—installing heating, lighting, and electrical systems in a way that respected the building’s integrity,” says Magnus.

Hidden technology, visible heritage

The large limestone slabs covering the floors had been loosely laid in sand, making it possible to lift them, conceal wiring beneath, and put them back without damage. In the northern hall, now home to the stone museum, the team carefully leveled the original flooring. In the southern hall, where the floor was more uneven, they added a new layer of limestone. The stone museum also received upgrades, including improved display cases, signage, and lighting.

“We wanted Klosterhuset to be open to visitors during the day,” Magnus adds. “But even when it’s closed, its beauty remains on display. Subtle lighting highlights the interiors, making them visible through the glass doors.”

A glimpse inside

We added an interior glass bay window to the stone museum, allowing visitors to peek inside even when the building is locked. The nearby red-painted stable now serves as a visitor facility with toilets, a preparation kitchen, and staff spaces. A simple serving hatch offers coffee straight into the monastery garden.

Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

The project also introduced a new storage facility for churchyard management near the southern visitor car park. Designed as a traditional agricultural building, it complements the surrounding 19th-century structures. A timber frame supports the structure, while horizontal laminated wood panels create the exterior. Carefully crafted details enhance the façade, corners, and eaves. Painted in Falu red, the building seamlessly blends into its historic setting.

As a result, Klosterhuset reopened to the public in spring 2019 — ready to continue its long and remarkable story.

 

Contact person

Magnus Almung

+46 31 708 38 01

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Stjärnorp Castle Ruins

Where architecture meets restoration
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Building Preservation & Restoration, Culture, Heritage Expertise, Renovation & Transformation
Client: Private
Years of construction: 2014–2022
General contractor: Miljöbyggarna Entreprenad i Linköping
Developer: Slottstornet AB
Building antiquarian and conservator: Tyréns Sverige AB
Photographer: Felix Gerlach

Stjärnorp Castle Ruins is not only an important cultural heritage site but also a beautiful example of how contemporary architecture can enhance and highlight historical buildings. Led by Erik Wikerstål from Tengbom as the chief architect, the project has been praised for its sensitive balance between preservation and renewal.

Since 1789, Stjärnorp Castle Ruins, located just north of Linköping, stood unprotected following a devastating fire. Through extensive restoration and modernization, it has been safeguarded against further decay and prepared for future generations. Today, the ruins play a significant role in the cultural and tourism landscape of Östergötland.

Award-winning craftsmanship

The restoration of Stjärnorp Castle Ruins has received widespread recognition, earning the Östergötland Architecture Prize in 2023. The jury commended it for “exploring the boundary between restoration and architecture and how we approach our cultural heritage.” Indeed, the restoration has been characterized by exceptional craftsmanship, with every detail executed with great care and respect for history.

 “The work at Stjärnorp is about more than preserving walls and building components. It’s about creating an experience and breathing new life into the ruins – without losing their historic character.”

Erik Wikerstål, Lead Architect

Protective roof and elegant interiors

The ruins have been fitted with a discreetly integrated roof that shields the historic walls without impacting the exterior aesthetics. Inside, visitors are greeted by an elegant interior where modern materials such as wood, corten steel, and glass emphasize the original architectural features.

The large window openings now feature individually designed glass panels. Each panel is precisely tailored to fit the uneven shapes of the walls. The balance between history and modernity is both striking and subtle. This is evident in the newly added spiral staircase in the tower and the carefully crafted corten steel details.

“We aimed to create something that feels contemporary while rooted in the ruin’s history. The goal was for the old and the new to enhance one another, and I’m very pleased with the result,” explains Wikerstål.

Good architecture makes cultural heritage accessible

The restoration of Stjärnorp Castle Ruins shows how architecture can make cultural sites more accessible. Careful interventions have given the ruins a new function as a destination. More visitors are drawn to the area, while the project demonstrates sustainable restoration in practice.

“We hope that Stjärnorp Castle Ruins will become a place where people can meet and experience both the past and present in a unique way,” Wikerstål concludes. “By securing the ruins for the future, we ensure that coming generations can share in our collective cultural heritage.”

Awards and nominations

Stjärnorp has been shortlisted for the EUmies Award 2026 – Mies van der Rohe. The EUmies Awards were established in 1988 by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe and the European Union to recognise architecture that strengthens the interaction between culture, society, and creativity in Europe. The award celebrates projects that, in various ways, bring together the built, the human, and the natural, enhancing the quality of the environments in which we live. Stjärnorp Castle Ruin also received the Östergötland Architecture Award 2024.

Contact person

Erik Wikerstål

Architect
+46 42 19 48 56

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Midsommarkransen Elementary School

A fire station turned into a school
Midsommarkransens elementary school
Architecture, Cultural Heritage, Interior Design
Education, Renovation & Transformation
Client: Skolfastigheter i Stockholm AB, Sisab
Inauguration: 2023
Location: Midsommarkransen, Stockholm
Gross area: Approximately 14,000 sqm, including 2,000 sqm of renovation
Photographer: Felix Gerlach

The former fire station in Midsommarkransen, built in the early 1940s, has been converted into a school for over 1,000 students. The building maintains a contemporary look, drawing inspiration from the fire station’s original architecture while emphasizing its function as a public building. Welcome to Midsommarkransen Elementary School.

Midsommarkransens skola

Tengbom’s assignment was to integrate the heritage-protected buildings with a modern structure, balancing aesthetics and functionality.

“We solved the equation by placing the five-storey school building behind the preserved wagon hall of the old fire station,” explains Pontus Eriksson, lead architect. “Meanwhile, we transformed the wagon hall into a school canteen with a preschool class above, seamlessly connected to the new main building.”

In this way, the wagon hall retains its historically significant facade as a backdrop at the Bäckvägen-Tellusborgsvägen intersection. The adjacent administration building has also been carefully restored.

Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola

High functionality while preserving nature

The new rectangular structure consolidates the school’s spaces across five compact floors. This design preserves much of the natural site, including a centuries-old oak tree and a neighboring wooded area. The area behind the school building has been transformed into a schoolyard that borders the Enbacken Park, complete with natural walking and cycling paths. The connection between these two areas enhances the neighborhood’s appeal for both the public and students, fostering shared use of the schoolyard and park.

Illustration of the school and schoolyard

Thoughtful material choices reflecting historical elements

The fire station’s cultural buildings are classified as green-protected, requiring consultation with a conservation officer. Tengbom’s task was to design a contemporary building that underscores its significant function within the community. But also while respecting the original architecture.
The preserved structures have been meticulously restored using original materials such as slate, brick, and wood. The new school building complements these with modern materials in a harmonious colour palette.

Midsommarkransens skola

“The material and colour choices for the new building draw inspiration from the fire station’s 1940s origins. We also prioritized robust and durable materials like concrete, aluminum, and wood to meet the school’s demands for wear-resistant finishes”.

Pontus Eriksson

Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola
Midsommarkransens skola

A public building designed to stand out

The light sand-coloured concrete facade harmonizes with the surrounding buildings. Parts of the facade feature a bold, undulating relief pattern, lending the structure character and creating dynamic shadows that shift with the angle of the sunlight.

White concrete frames highlight the two entrances, positioned at opposite corners of the building. Their design draws inspiration from the lower sections of the wagon hall. The fifth floor features a lightweight structure clad in light bronze-coloured aluminum. It serves as a creative cluster for all arts-related subjects.

The roof includes a terrace with a pedagogical outdoor space. Aluminum-framed windows with deep relief profiles add an aesthetic touch while providing sun shading.

In January 2023, the school welcomed its first students.

Midsommarkransens skola

Awards and recognitions

Midsommarkransen Elementary School received a ‘Highly Commended’ distinction in the Inside Education category at the World Architecture Festival 2024. The project was also a finalist for Stockholm Building of the Year 2023

Contact person

Pontus Eriksson

Lead Architect
+46 8 412 52 60

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Vendelsömalm School Building A

From the 1960s, now in new garb
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Accessibility, Building Preservation & Restoration, Education, Renovation & Transformation
Client:
Location: Haninge Municipality
BTA: 8000 sqm
Assignment years: 2017-2021
Photographer: Felix Gerlach

In an understated concrete and wooden structure that is typical of its era, Vendelsömalm School opened in Haninge in 1966. With an aim to “preserve and reuse as much as possible,” the school has now been updated to meet contemporary needs and requirements. 

The original Vendelsömalm School consisted of a robust building with a few distinctive and sturdy materials, like untreated concrete and pine, brown linoleum and terrazzo. A minium red accent colour added contrast and recurred in the windows and wooden doors. Several renovations and technology installations were then carried out.

Vendelsömalm School
The 110-meter-long main hall and the stairway system link the building together.
Vendelsömalm School
The team made the main entrance and two schoolyard entrances accessible and replaced the entryways.

“The challenge was to adapt a typical 1960s building to a school’s contemporary requirements regarding acoustics, accessibility and modernity”.

Tove Krogh-Andersen, Lead Architect 

A return to the original quality

Vendelsömalm School has 600 students from preschool to ninth grade. In 2018, the school underwent an extensive and necessary renovation, replacing the ventilation and electricity. Tengbom was tasked with renovating and upgrading the main building and modernizing the accessibility and functionality of the floor plan.

“We wanted to retain the feel of the original, with cast concrete on three half-levels,” explains Tove. The 110-meter-long main hall, with its beautiful stairway, holds everything together. At the same time, we wanted to restore the former look of natural materials and recreate them in conversation with a contemporary style.

Greater security with a new floorplan

When we adapted the premises for their purpose, we moved the reception and principal’s office closer to the main entrance. The break room was also moved to improve student safety. The special education classroom, student health, library and teachers’ lounge were all placed centrally in the building.

“Vendelsömalm School isn’t a listed building. However, we brought in one of our restoration architects early on to document and analyze the building,” says Tove. “That study was the basis for several decisions.”

We let in more light

The team installed energy-efficient windows with transoms that resemble the originals, along with awnings and natural-coloured facade panels. They also made the main entrance and two schoolyard entrances accessible and replaced the entryways. Inside, they updated all installations and converted the cellar into a fan room. A new elevator now provides access down to the basement floor.

For more light, accessibility and safety, the new doors are glazed. The doors are all orange once again, like the original colour. A total renovation of the surfaces entailed new floors, a new false ceiling, acoustic solutions and fresh paint. There is now also a garbage room and a loading yard.

Vendelsömalm School
The tables and benches have an open design that neither cements roles nor determines who sits where.
Vendelsömalm School
The facades now have energy-efficient windows with transoms reminiscent of the original windows, awnings, and natural-coloured facade panels.

Renewal from historic walls

“The goal was to clean and restore the concrete in the main hall,” says Tove. “We decided to remove the old murals, which students painted with latex paint in the 90s. Unfortunately, it was hard to carry out such an extensive restoration of concrete. Instead, it was painted in concrete-like colours with the preserved rough texture of boards at the base. Old dents and the history on the walls can add a lot of beauty and invigoration.”

The false ceiling in the big main hall features untreated wood, restoring the room’s original concept. The walls in the combined assembly hall and cafeteria now have untreated wood panels, enhancing both aesthetics and acoustics.

Vendelsömalm School
A restful space.

Sound is subdued by the building – not the kids

In the open student areas, the team refreshed the original wooden furniture with modern, inviting seating and tables. They designed the adaptable module system for easy adjustments.

“Before, the acoustics problem was solved by telling the kids to be quiet. If it was warm inside, you opened a window. Today, the school has to offer a good, sound environment and ventilation”.

Tove Krogh-Andersen

“The design of the tables and benches allows students to move freely without fixed roles or assigned seats,” says Tove. “The space adapts to different needs and situations. A school should be welcoming to all.”

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Practice Director Stockholm
+46 8 412 53 43

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Östermalmshallen Padel

Upcycling rescues great architecture
Östermalm Hall Padel
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Renovation & Transformation, Sports & Health, Temporary
Client:
Location: Mölnlycke
Assignment years: 2022
Project type: Upcycling
Photographer: Felix Gerlach

In one of the biggest upcycling projects in Sweden, our temporary market hall from Stockholm was given a new lease on life. “First to six wins the game” is now the rule at Östermalmshallen Padel in Mölnlycke, just outside of Gothenburg.

When Stockholm’s Östermalmshallen renovation was complete, and it was time to tear down the temporary Östermalmshall, the building was disassembled and shipped to Mölnlycke, and rebuilt as a padel hall.

Since then, padel courts have replaced the fish and shellfish counters, but the exclusive feel remains intact. The wood-paneled walls, with a visible structure, create that sense of exclusivity, for a result that is far from the standard tin boxes that house many padel halls around Sweden. The locker room floors and walls are lined with big, beautiful terrazzo tiles, while the restaurant and bar offer views of both the lake and the padel courts.

Östermalmshallen Padel
The main entrance to Östermalmshallen Padel is covered with weathering steel.
Östermalmshallen Padel

An upcycling record

In addition, moving the temporary market hall set a Swedish record for upcycling.

Östermalmshallen Padel
In spring and summer, guests can relax in the outdoor seating area. With restaurant service available, they can enjoy a meal while taking in the lake views.

“This is a major upcycling project, maybe one of the biggest in Sweden,” says Mark Humphreys, Regional Manager at Tengbom and head of the project. One of the key lessons is that good architecture is a condition for long-term sustainability. The building has been popular, a success from the start, and the Wallenstam property company has carefully preserved and reinforced its beautiful qualities in the adaptation of the building for its new purpose and location. Simply put – no one wants to tear down an attractive building.

Östermalmshallen Padel
The western facade – the lower portion of the facade is covered with vertical pine panels. The corrugated plastic on the upper portion lets light into the hall.

Award-winning hall with many functions

Previously, the Tengbom-designed hall had already won several awards. These include the Architizer A+ Award, the Design S architectural award, and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Urban Environment Award.

“A lot of people who visit us comment on how beautiful the building is,” says Niklas Evheden, who runs the new padel hall. “Many people are really quite enthusiastic when they come in. The bright and inviting setting is considerably different from other halls, and it’s also unique that we have our own restaurant. In addition to the wood paneling indoors, many people comment on how much natural light comes in from the corrugated plastic on the walls. It doesn’t look like any other padel hall they’ve been in. The venue is also excellent for conferences and parties.”

No one wants to tear down an attractive building

Östermalmshallen Padel
The padel hall has six doubles courts and a restaurant.

Adapted for six doubles courts and a restaurant

Tengbom embraced the challenge of adapting the building to its new function and location. Along the way, the team made thoughtful adjustments. They extended the interior pillars and facade, raising the ceiling by two meters from its original height at Östermalmstorg in Stockholm. They also adjusted the structure to fit the sloping ground of the new site. To handle Mölnlycke’s higher levels of rain and wind, they expanded the roof’s runoff system. Inside, these changes are visible, subtly telling the story of the building’s journey and transformation.

The name of the padel hall reflects its history as well. It is now called Östermalmshallen Padel , and is located in Wallenstam’s new urban development project, Mölnlycke Fabriker, in Mölnlycke, outside of Gothenburg. There are around seven hundred new homes nearby.

A wooden frame facilitates the move

The building frame consists of a pre-fabricated wooden construction. The lower facade features vertical pine panels. The upper section has corrugated plastic siding that lets in light. In the restaurant corner, large windows open up the facade, offering views of the hall inside and the lake outside.

“The project also demonstrates the advantages of pre-fabricated wooden constructions as a material for building,” says Mark. “That made it easy to adapt the building to its new purpose, even though we didn’t plan to upcycle it like this from the beginning. It was also easy to disassemble and move the building. We really believe in this method of reusing buildings. The lessons we’ve taken away will make it even easier next time.”

Wins and awards

Winner of Architizer A+Awards 2024 in the categories Sustainable Adaptive Reuse and Gyms and Recreation Centers.
Circular Building Initiative of the Year 2022. As Tillfälliga Saluhallen: Architizer A+ Award, Design S Architecture Award, and Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Urban Environment Award. And longlisted for Dezeen Awards 2023

Östermalmshallen Padel
This east-facing overhead shot shows the skylights that stick up from the roof and let daylight into the hall.

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Practice Director Stockholm
+46 8 412 53 43

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Kalmar City Library

Kids get the best room in the new library
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Accessibility, Building Preservation & Restoration, Culture, Education, Renovation & Transformation
Client:
Year: 2018-2020
Area: 3 100 sqm
Type: Preliminary study and interior design
Builder and partners: Klövern, Ulestedts snickeri & inredningar
Photography: Felix Gerlach

When Kalmar City Library moved into the city’s new cultural quarter, the focus was on children’s love of reading and joy of discovery. This three-story former post office is now a modern, accessible library.

Kalmar City Library
The city library in the old post office from 1947, designed by architect Lars-Erik Lallerstedt.
Kalmar City Library
To the right of the main entrance, the large window lets light into the children’s studio.

At Tengbom, we are passionate about preserving old buildings – and carefully upgrading them to meet the needs and conditions of today. We had the opportunity to create the interior design for the new city library and to transform the old post office and subsequent market hall into a vibrant space for readers of all ages.

From the balcony you can look out over the family section where the story tent enthrones itself in the middle of the room.

Kalmar City Library won Kalmar Municipality’s architecture and urban design award in 2021. From the jury’s statement:

“With a careful, sustainable renovation that qualitatively adds value, this project contributes to developing a good living environment for all residents of Kalmar and serves as a meeting space. The project visually communicates care for the overall whole and in the exterior and interior details, with a balance between form, function and sustainability in order to achieve excellent architecture.”

It started with a horseshoe

The head architect of Posten, L.E. Lallerstedt, designed the post office building in Kalmar in 1947. In the original space, the counter was built into a horseshoe-shaped depression in the floor. Today, this depression, as well as the floor and shapes, serve as a starting point rather than a challenge.

“We wanted to preserve the details, and at the same time we needed to give the space a new sense of flow,” says Hanna Philipsson, architect at Tengbom. “We had the horseshoe to work with, so we went from there and we also used an octagonal pattern from the original floor and the façade.”

Custom interior decor preserves and renews

The library has three stories, and the atmosphere becomes calmer the higher you go in the building. The beautiful entryway has been preserved in its entirety.

Kalmar City Library
Rooms for older children create space for individual reading but also function as a meeting place for smaller groups.
Kalmar City Library
Place-built forms for smaller children offer play and reading.

“We’ve created a lot of custom furniture,” says Hanna. “Interior architects don’t get to design furniture very often. Here, we’ve really gotten to think about it and head to the drafting table. We’ve worked to preserve older aspects while creating new functions.”

Unlike a classic library that naturally encourages silence, Kalmar City Library now invites play and socializing for all ages. Swings and slides add to the fun, while smaller seating areas offer families and kids a place to read, get cozy, and create their own little worlds. In the center of the room stands a light and transparent fairytale tent, inspired by the copper tent in Stockholm’s Haga Park.

Kalmar City Library
The story tent is the heart of the family section. The form interacts with Lars-Erik Lallerstedt’s design.

Open spaces and rooms within rooms

Kalmar City Library
New openings in walls create space and tie the interior together. The balcony offers a view down towards the fiction department.

Interior design ought to be felt and experienced. Naturally, the library also includes spaces for adults. Secluded areas with good lighting create perfect spots for reading and concentration – little rooms within rooms.

The horseshoe shape plays a role throughout the children’s area of the large hall. The room is lined with bookshelves in rounded shapes, with books on the outside and private seating arrangements on the inside.

The palette features blue and brown. The deep blue upholstery, bookshelves, and soft carpeting blend beautifully with the rich, dark-glazed wooden ceiling. In the center, a light brown checked floor adds warmth and harmony.

“We wanted to take the aesthetic perspective for kids seriously, and not use the classic signal colours that are so common in children’s design. The shapes and functions, and the colours of the books, contain a playful element”.

Hanna Philipsson

In addition to the interior design, Tengbom also carried out the feasibility study for the project. The library opened in 2021.

Kalmar city library is a q-marked building that will become part of the cultural quarter of the future.

Contact person

Joao Pereira

Practice Director Kalmar and Linköping
+46 708 79 99 38

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Bergius Botanic Garden

A chlorophyll-filled assignment
Cultural Heritage, Landscape
Accessibility, Culture, Heritage Expertise, Parks, Play & Public Spaces, Renovation & Transformation
Client:
Year: 2019 -
Area: 60 hectare
Assignment type: General consultant assignment
Builder and partners: Statens Fastighetsverk
Photography: Felix Gerlach

A plant museum. That’s one way to describe Stockholm’s Bergius Botanic Garden, where Katarina Enekvist at Tengbom is in-house architect on behalf of the National Property Board of Sweden. Here, you can visit the giant Victoria water lily, learn about everything from Nordic to tropical plants, or simply give your eyes a momentary break from the asphalt.

The Italian terrace gives space to Mediterranean flora.
View of Brunnsviken from the Italian terrace, one of the garden’s most important vantage points.

Science, botany and relaxation. The beautiful scenery of Bergius Botanic Garden is located near Brunnsviken beach in Stockholm. Visitors can discover plants from around the world: fruit and berry orchards, as well as plant taxonomy areas that show how the plants are related.

In-house architect who puts valuable environments to use

Katarina Enekvist, Restoration Architect at Tengbom, has been an in-house architect for Bergius Botanic Garden since 2019. She has many years of experience leading complex assignments in environments of cultural-historic value. As an in-house architect, it is not enough simply to be skilled in design, or to have knowledge of cultural history. It is also important to balance the historic environment with today’s demands.

“It’s an incredibly exciting challenge to get to know the garden and to be immersed in the needs and possibilities of a listed building”.

Katarina Enekvist

Since the year 1900, the Victoria House has vaulted its glass dome over an imaginative tropical world.

Preserve and improve with subtlety

The world’s largest water lily comes from the Amazon but now also has a home in the pool in the Victoria House.

The assignment of in-house architect entails long-term responsibility. And a great deal has already happened since 2019. The team has developed the old Utsiktstornet lookout tower to bring the authentic nineteenth-century environment to life. At Victoria House, they have reviewed the construction and carried out maintenance on the glass. They will restore the garden director’s overgrown garden by the Bleket building. Workers have made difficult-to-access areas of the garden accessible by installing new, specially made iron railings and restoring the stairs and walkways. The team has created a project plan for Naturens Hus in Finnstugan, an educational space for schools and kids. Designers will clarify Bergius Botanic Garden’s various entryways with a new design, and sketches are in the works.

Builders constructed the old orangery in 1926 for the garden’s tropical plants. Today, it houses a popular restaurant.

Maintenance of the grounds and wooden buildings

In addition, working in collaboration with tradespeople and painting conservators, Katarina Enekvist has carried out antiquarian reviews and consultation on the restoration and maintenance of all wooden buildings at Bergius Botanic Garden. This work has resulted in an important knowledge base, including a care program for the grounds and buildings.

“The garden should be a place for everyone, with a connection to both the past and the present. I look forward to continuing to contribute to developing this place,” says Katarina Enekvist.

Bergius Botanic Garden and Brunnsviken seen from above.
Bergius Botanic Garden, the Stockholm Botanical Garden and the Royal National City Park.

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Practice Director Stockholm
+46 8 412 53 43

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Tengbom’s Malmö Office

More possibilities with less space
Interior Design
Offices, Renovation & Transformation
Client:
Location: Stora Nygatan 64, Malmö
Assignment years: 2020-2021
BTA: 750 sqm
Photographer: Jonas Ingerstedt
Collaborators: LSI, Input, Ateljé Lyktan, Götessons and Pogm/Organoid

Smaller offices are increasingly common. But how do you scale back without sacrificing comfort? At Tengbom’s Malmö Office, space is the only thing that shrunk.

“We’ve really focused on working creatively with our use of space. It’s important that the place doesn’t feel static; it should be able to change over time. We wanted variation and to be able to adapt the space as needed,” says Josefin Klein, Practice Director.

Tengbom’s Malmö Office
The calm color palette throughout allows the character of each room to speak for itself, without requiring additional accentuation.

The office isn’t what it used to be. It’s a change that began long before March 2020, but the pandemic has accelerated it and made the adjustment more urgent for property owners and tenants alike. We need to reconsider. Scale down. Think new. For Tengbom in Malmö, that meant finding a brand-new way to use the office.

Tengbom’s Malmö Office
The interior design can be modified as needed, and there is plenty of space to pin up ideas, set up models or hold temporary workshops.

Our solution: reuse and efficient use of space

The oldest section of the building was a theater in the 1800s, while the newer areas were built in the 60s.

Less space and also more functionality – can this equation really add up? At Tengbom’s Malmö office in the historic building at Stadt Hamburg 13 on Gustaf Adolfs square, the answer is yes. Here, several buildings from different eras have been joined into a single but charming whole. For our furnishings, we emphasized upcycling and reused almost everything from our old space.

The new office – which is 120 square meters smaller than the old one – required several creative solutions in order to fit the bill. Touchdown spaces are interwoven with a mixture of high and low seating arrangements. There are separate rooms, some of which are dedicated entirely to virtual meetings. At the same time, thanks to the central location, more meetings and functions can be carried out in shared spaces.

“It might seem like such a distinctive and varied space would conflict with the classic office landscape. But when the office is activity-based and primarily a meeting place, it’s the perfect venue for creative gatherings”.

Josefin Klein

Tengbom’s Malmö Office
For the furnishings, the office emphasized upcycling and reused almost everything from the old space. The ceiling height and eye-catching paintings on the ceiling in the old “Hall of Orders” also make a statement.

From classic office to creative hub

So how do you achieve the creative environment that is so essential to the modern office? Practice Director Emma Nilsby believes it is important to come to a place where you can have fun, and where exchange takes place. The new Malmö office has great conditions for these factors through its numerous and varied spaces. The room that serves as a lounge or break room has softer seating for coffee breaks. It has a big table where meetings can be held at one end and employees can eat lunch at the other – while at the same time, the room facilitates flow and you can see people coming and going.
“The office has become a meeting place. You choose to work from home when you want to focus. When you want to meet up, socialize and be creative, you meet at the office or at a café. It’s a different mindset,” says Emma.

A space for experimentation and prototypes

Why not take synergy a step further and make space for innovations and product development? To take that step in its entirety, one of the rooms at Tengbom’s Malmö Office is a dedicated showroom and testbed space, where employees and suppliers can “test-run” furniture, find new solutions, and increase their knowledge of different work environments.

Tengbom’s Malmö Office
Through collaboration with various brands, we have been able to experiment with new materials. In the Scenografen meeting room, the walls have a fragrant apple wallpaper from Pogm/Organoid and the space is currently furnished with furniture from Götessons.

“Working together in our showroom has been an experiment for our suppliers, too. This has involved everything from reupholstering furniture to coming up with brand-new products. They’ve found it really exciting to work this way, and it lets them sell it for the next project and use our office as a kind of reference project,” says Josefin Klein.

In the dark center, we have assembled practical functions such as storage, meeting rooms and lockers, as well as a display space for models and materials.

Contact person

Josefin Klein

Practice Director Skåne
+46 40 641 31 18

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Östermalm Market Hall and Hotel

Updated for the future
Östermalm Market Hall
Architecture, Cultural Heritage
Building Preservation & Restoration, Culture, Heritage Expertise, Hotels & Meetings, Renovation & Transformation, Restaurants, Retail
Client: Stockholms Stad
Location: Östermalm, Stockholm
Assignment years: 2021-2021
BTA: Market Hall 6770 sqm and Hotel 4800 sqm
Photographer: Åke E:son Lindman and Lasse Olsson
Collaborators: Ljusrum, Nyréns, AIX, Stockholms Målerikonservering, BK Beräkningskonsulter

With the renovation of Östermalm Market Hall, Tengbom has preserved a part of the city’s history while creating a new way to experience this historic culinary destination. The market hall has undergone the most comprehensive renovation in 130 years, and together with the new market hall hotel, this cultural legacy is ready to welcome visitors for yet another century to come.

Östermalm Market Hall
The large, curved windows and original entrances were renovated and accentuated with nighttime lighting. Photo: Lasse Olsson

After a little over a century in operation, Östermalm Market Hall was in great need of renovation. Decades of sporadic updates had resulted in a space that was no longer particularly inviting.

Our task: update, accentuate and improve

Restoring the market hall to its original luster involved significant challenges. We looked back in time to put the venue’s history to use, but the building also needed to meet modern requirements, and new additions should enhance the visitor experience.

Östermalm Market Hall
Restaurants along the building facades in combination with longer opening hours and outdoor seating areas contribute to a thriving outdoor setting. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

We had to review the building’s technology and consider the complex logistics that take place in and around the hall. Adaptations for accessibility, replacing essentially all technology, and reinforcing the cultural-historic and antiquarian values of the building topped the agenda. Simply put: we wanted to elevate the user experience without corrupting any part of the building.

Respectful adaptation for the future

We have taken a comprehensive approach with great care for the character and details of the building, from technical functions and structural initiatives to restoring the original decoration. The original star-shaped floor plan has been restored to benefit retail and create clearer walkways. Additional features have been added to create new experiences, such as long balconies with seating for restaurant guests. Greater accessibility requirements contribute to a better experience for everyone, with elevators and additional toilets.

Östermalm Market Hall
The original colour scheme and decorative details have been restored. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

New additions have a clear contemporary look that is quieter than the bold and colourful cultural-historic environment. In other cases, the choice was to emphasize and enhance the original appearance of the market hall. Paint conservators have carefully scraped away layer after layer of paint to reveal a picture of the building’s history.

Östermalm Market Hall
The original wood construction of the market hall has been renovated and adapted with low paneling and marble counters with integrated refrigerators and display areas. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

Today, visitors encounter a more vibrant space, but in the same colours as before. Light also streams through the gable windows once more. The windows had been painted over at one point, but have now been replaced with new windows and an innovative jalousie system developed from boating technology to protect goods from direct sunlight.

Improved flows and new experiences

Today, visitors are met with a uniform and harmonious experience, a market hall that is now inclusive, adapted for accessibility and sustainable. Improved flows, smarter entryway solutions and a new waste and recycling system that reduces the number of truck transports to a fifth of what it was are just some of the elements that make Östermalm Market Hall an ultramodern meeting place. Restaurants along the building’s facades combined with longer opening hours contribute to a bustling environment outside, with greater focus on contemporary needs and behaviors, such as socializing and being seen.

The hotel – a new way to experience this historic culinary destination

A new hotel has opened that is connected to the market hall. Through parametric design and innovative architecture, Tengbom has helped create an extraordinary hotel experience. An old industrial candy factory from 1910 and an Art Nouveau residential building from 1888 have been transformed into a chic hotel. It was a tricky task to chisel a hotel out of buildings in different styles and from different eras. The historic character of the buildings had to be respected, and at the same time, we needed to unite the structures and redesign the floor plan for compatibility as a hotel. To achieve functional flows on each floor, a modern addition in handmade brick was added to the existing buildings. Together, the buildings circle a courtyard.

Östermalm Market Hall
Together, the modern addition and the original buildings circle a courtyard and create a new meeting place in the city. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

With the market hall hotel, a new sense of flow and energy have been established on the block.

The addition in handmade brick, perforated with sound absorption underneath to create a comfortable sound environment in the hotel courtyard. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

A glass roof in collaboration with tech and the sky

We designed the courtyard as a year-round meeting place to ensure both function and enjoyment. To achieve this, we covered the space with a specially designed glass roof. The elegant, undulating shape makes the roof feel like an extension of the sky rather than a glass cover. Placing a glass roof over three buildings with eaves at different heights posed a unique challenge. We also aimed to retain the feeling of being outdoors while preserving the neighbors’ view and daylight. To solve this, we used parametric design—an algorithmic approach that streamlines the construction of complex shapes. This method allowed us to maximize the glass surface, minimize structural elements, and create a slender roof with an open feel.

With minimal structural elements, the undulating glass roof elegantly arches across the three different buildings with eaves at dissimilar heights. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

Sound – a crucial component

In a large, glassed-in courtyard, acoustics can pose an obstacle to a pleasant experience and the sense of being outdoors. To reduce echoes and excess noise, we chose to cover the addition with a perforated brick facade. By leaving out every other brick and adding sound absorption underneath, we succeeded in creating effective sound reduction. The abstract brick pattern gives the facade a compelling depth while serving an important function. To further ensure noise reduction and a pleasant sound environment, we chose acoustic plaster as a complement when re-plastering the old residential building.

“Now passersby can take a shortcut from Nybrogatan via the hotel and market hall to Humlegårdsgatan – which also benefits commercial activity in both buildings”.

Mark Humphreys, Lead Architect and Office Director

a chic hotel. The passage between the hotel and the market hall now creates a new city flow through the block. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman

The result – a new city flow

The passage features site-cast concrete and terrazzo stairs. This creates a subtle yet contrasting transition between the market hall and the hotel. Photo: Lasse Olsson

We retained and restored an existing passage that leads from the street to the hotel’s courtyard. We also created a new passage to connect the courtyard to the market hall. Together, these changes have introduced a new city flow through the block.

“Now passersby can take a shortcut from Nybrogatan via the hotel and market hall to Humlegårdsgatan – which also benefits commercial activity in both buildings.” The new passage that cuts through the old brick and concrete construction required powerful support frames. We chose to expose these changes in painted black steel and site-cast concrete, while creating an understated, contrasting transition to the colourful, detailed environment of the market hall and hotel.

The new passage now connects the market hall to the hotel. Inside, Leontine Arvidsson’s artwork “Bäst före: torsdagen den 12 mars 2020” (“Best by: Thursday, March 12, 2020”) adds a striking visual element. Photo: Åke E:son Lindman.

Taken together, we’ve created an experience that feels like traveling back in time, while the market hall is relevant for the future once again. Time will tell if we’ve hit the right note, as we did with the temporary market hall. But for now the city, country and world have regained a piece of cultural heritage – and then some.

Footnote: The hotel operator and architect Per Öberg developed the design concept for the hotel.

Awards and Recognitions

In 2021, Östermalm Market Hall won the Swedish Lighting Prize (Interior Category) and Stockholm Building of the Year.

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Lead Architect
+46 8 412 53 43

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