Commissioned by the Swedish National Courts Administration, Tengbom created an interior concept that balances calmness, dignity, and functionality. Courtrooms, offices, and meeting rooms feature a coordinated palette of materials and colours, reinforcing a sense of order and serenity.

The design manual, which ensures consistency across the building, builds on the courthouse’s distinctive materials, focusing on copper, brass, and ash wood. The team custom-designed many furnishings to meet the building’s unique security and functional requirements.

Earth, fire, water, and air

The colour scheme is inspired by the four elements, with deep, grounding tones bringing warmth and contrasting light materials creating a sense of openness. The use of ash wood and lustrous textiles enhances the interplay between these elements. Each office features a consistent base design of desks, storage, and seating, but varies in colour to introduce subtle differentiation. Meeting rooms have distinct colour themes, yet remain visually cohesive. In common areas such as the library, archives, and copy rooms, the palette shifts to more monochrome tones, with custom-designed furniture enhancing the refined atmosphere.

“The high-level meeting room, Knutsikten, is the building’s pride, offering a panoramic view. To highlight its unique shape, we designed a large, custom-made rug in contrasting colour blocks, creating a striking central element in the space,” says Elin Alm, interior architect at Tengbom.

Security meets well-being

Given the sensitive nature of court proceedings, the team prioritised security and discretion in every aspect of the interior. They carefully selected colours and materials to balance formality with comfort while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.

“Textiles, soft lighting, and upholstered furniture create a more reassuring environment, particularly in rooms designed for protected witnesses,”

says Elin Alm

Blending advanced security with refined design

Lund District Court incorporates fixed furniture, concealed technical installations, and reinforced structures for security. The team carefully designed the courtroom interiors to integrate microphones, alarms, and security systems without disrupting the architectural aesthetic.

The custom horseshoe-shaped desks in the courtrooms hide state-of-the-art technology. They combine white-stained solid ash with thin metal inlays, reflecting the courthouse’s copper-clad façade.

“Despite the building’s scale, the coordinated colours, varied furnishings, and carefully chosen materials create a sense of cohesion and comfort. Staff and visitors notice it. They appreciate it, too,” concludes Elin Alm.

Starting with open fields and warm coastal cliffs energized by the sea, the journey ascends through lush forests, sparkling streams, and ends in the stark beauty of mountainous terrain, adorned with vibrant mosses, lichens, and rushing waterfalls. Materials and textures range from warm and soft to cool and austere.

“The concept of natural power guided the entire design process. Sustainability and reuse have been a red thread throughout,” says Frida Axelsson, Tengbom’s design lead and interior architect for the project. “We focused on materials’ life cycles and production methods, ensuring timeless and adaptable design.”

E.ON’s commitment to sustainability resonates in the physical environment.

“Our ambitions for sustainability have been high from the start,” explains Linda Palac, E.ON’s project manager. “Our goal was to reuse as much furniture as possible. It’s been challenging but rewarding. Our office is vibrant, seamlessly integrating old furniture with new, sustainable elements.”

“Our goal was to reuse as much furniture as possible”

Linda Palac, E.ON’s project manager

Natural power for a sustainable future

E.ON’s mission is to innovate and provide smart energy solutions, contributing to a sustainable society. Their new office supports this goal. Located in Nyhamnen, Malmö, near the central station, the building is set to achieve WELL Building Standard Platinum (Core & Shell and Tenant), emphasizing health and well-being, and BREEAM Outstanding, the highest standard for sustainable construction.

Almost all loose furnishings are reused, minimizing environmental impact. Curtains, upholstery, and carpets are made from recycled materials.

A spatial journey across swedish landscapes

The journey begins in the basement with rocky foundations, ascending to sunlit oat fields on the entrance floor. Subsequent levels feature coastal cliffs, airy forests, deep woods with mountain views, and culminate in a sparkling mountain peak at the top.

“We created distinct forms and palettes for each level, encouraging exploration,” says Frida. “The variation aids navigation in this large building, making each floor unique yet cohesive.”

Barista bar with a pop of raspberry

At the entrance, a reception area greets visitors with a five-meter-high wall of custom wooden slats and a light-playing wallpaper inspired by sunflower seeds. On the third floor, a striking barista bar stands out with a raspberry-colored front made of hand-cast, backlit glass spheres from Småland.

“Every detail is deliberate,” says Frida. “We designed the space for coffee breaks and spontaneous meetings, balancing closed and open areas while maintaining sightlines through the thoroughfare.”

Task or mood-based rooms

The office fosters an activity-based work environment, supporting 1,800 employees with diverse needs. Quiet zones, phone booths, and meeting rooms ensure adaptability.

“The office is a space for lively discussions, focus, and relaxation,” says Maeva Chardon, Tengbom’s lead architect. “Movement, nature views, and varied textures promote well-being, aligning with WELL criteria.”

Custom fixtures and sustainability

Tengbom designed all fixed furnishings, from benches to lockers, and collaborated with local joineries for production. Many elements are unique to this office, combining innovation with sustainability.

“It’s rare for the client to want to challenge conventions more than we do. It made the project incredibly fun,” says Josefin Klein, lead architect and office manager at Tengbom Malmö. “We’ve broken almost every classical interior design rule for this assignment.”

A concept built on power pink

The design concept, aptly named “Power Pink Please,” reflects Croisette’s pioneering and expanding business. The word “Power” embodies their leadership, while “Pink” is an obvious nod to the company’s visual identity – a colour representing playfulness and boldness. And “Please”?

“‘Please’ reflects the humility Croisette brings to their projects and partnerships,” explains Josefin. “They emphasize mutual collaboration in all they do.”

Breaking industry norms

Croisette Real Estate Partner is a trusted property advisor operating in Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland, with their global headquarters in Malmö. The building housing their offices, Croisette Tower in Hyllie, is owned by JöLa Invest AB. Croisette not only leases the top floor—spanning 830 square meters—but also manages the building’s leases.

A daring mix of colour and sustainability.

The new office features a spectacular blend of pink hues, repurposed furniture, and inventive solutions. A champagne cooler adds a touch of exclusivity. Because, why not? By reusing as much furniture as possible from their former office, Croisette has demonstrated that sustainability and bold design can coexist.

Not your standard kitchenette

In the kitchen, reused sofas, tables, and chairs pair with a central island that discreetly integrates microwaves and refrigerators. The kitchen floor is covered in experimental herringbone parquet, made by Bjelin, in a vibrant pink pattern. Each piece is individually stained in six shades of pink. The kitchen serves as the heart of the workplace and doubles as an event space for clients.

A public and a private section

The office ceiling is, of course, pink. In the work areas, a translucent stretch metal covers the ceiling. Other sections feature suspended ceilings made of wood wool, a material available in any colour. The team spray-painted the remaining ceiling installations in the same shade. A more secluded office section features wall-to-wall carpeting. Guess the colour? One meeting room stands out with a special ceiling where textile installations, resembling ties, hang in varying lengths and shades.

Reused interior design

The office isn’t just pink – it’s also sustainable. For this project, Croisette reused as much furniture as possible from their previous office. The chosen materials are durable and easy to maintain. For Croisette, taking responsibility for environmental impact is crucial, proving that it’s possible to create an outstanding workplace with minimal waste.

“We want to show that we are a company unafraid to stand out. Our office reflects our passion, creativity, and vision. I also based the concept on a theory that pink symbolizes limitless possibilities, which I think is a perfect representation of the company. Nothing has been left to chance, and we hope our office will inspire both clients and colleagues in the industry,” says Per Svensson, CEO and Founder of Croisette.

The office made it to the finals in the Sweden’s Most Beautiful Office 2023 competition, organized by Lokalnytt, Fastighetssverige, and Nordic Property News. Croisette moved into their new office in May 2023.

When the Hemsö regional office in Malmö went from 10 to 16 employees, growing pains set in. The office needed more space for its new staff members. But bearing Hemsö’s core values in mind – such as added value, sustainability and a long-term approach – Tengbom’s team thought twice. Instead, we presented a proposal for which the existing premises, with a minor 45 m² addition from next door, would be ideal to adapt for double the amount of staff.

“The new office has given us a real boost,” says Henrik Orup, property manager at Hemsö’s regional office. “Tengbom helped us stay in our current premises, so we didn’t have to move – and we’re thrilled about that solution.”

And, of course, it’s also good for the landlord, Vasakronan, to be able to keep their tenant in the property.

Attracting employees with inspiration

“We saw plenty of opportunities for reuse, not only in the interior design and materials, but in the space itself,” says Maeva Chardon, lead architect for the assignment and interior design architect at Tengbom.

Meanwhile, Hemsö was clear that their office ought to be more than just desks. It should be more rewarding to go into the office than to work from home in terms of inspiration, social experiences and meetings with colleagues. But focused work without disruptions should also be possible.

Black box – coming together in an industrial-inspired kitchen

Hemsö’s regional office is a small gable space with windows facing in three directions, offering views of the water and the old industrial area. The design concept is based around the idea of a social hub in the middle of the premises. A black box with a deep wall now contains a spacious black kitchen with an industrial feel on one side, and shelving, seating niches and storage on the other. The kitchen offers space to socialize, including a new area with a variety of seating options around dining tables, tall tables and risers. Parties, film screenings and presentations can all be held here.

A room to suit the mood

A path leads from the core through the premises to the various work areas and rooms. The path – which is a literal path on the floor in a greige, gravel-like colour – guides visitors through the office space to its different areas. You can go to the Jungle, a room for creativity where plants climb over the desks and the walls are covered in wood paneling. You might also visit the Ocean, a conference room with views of the sea and bubble-like pendant fixtures. The beige hue of the Beach is reminiscent of a sandy shore, making the local Ribban beach feel very close indeed. In this space, more focused meetings can be held. If you want to work in a more open space, the Meadow is a cozy and social work setting with flooring made of reused green carpet tiles.

“The concept is based on the idea of entering the office through the more social and active zone. The further into the office you get along the path, the more you can choose between individual workspaces and meeting rooms for focus or recovery”.

Maeva Chardon

We replaced the archive room in the black core with two smaller meeting rooms. Each includes seating niches and glass panels facing the open office space. In addition, we added two focus rooms for individual work — something the old office lacked.

“Our office isn’t just stylish now; it’s also an inspiring workplace that you’re happy to go to,” says Henrik Orup, Hemsö. “The new office truly became a meeting place for community, innovation, security and well-being. We see it as a storefront that elevates the Hemsö brand.”

Reused and circular materials

At Hemsö’s regional office in Malmö, the team made sure nothing was discarded unnecessarily. They repurposed certain doors and glass panels for the meeting rooms. In other spaces, they kept the existing carpet tiles. They also brought desks, office chairs, meeting tables, and several conference chairs from the old office.

“The new materials all feature some form of circularity,” explains Maeva. “For example, the new carpet tiles are made of recycled PET bottles. Nothing should be thrown away if it can be reused. The finished office is really different from what it used to be. In a very positive way!”