Iconic Tengbom heritage

It was Anders Tengbom and his colleagues who once designed the now iconic brick building on Kungsholmen, completed in 1977. The building, originally created for Trygg-Hansa with its own restaurant, sports facilities and extensive art installations, now houses several tenants, and the insurance company has reduced its area to two floors. Forty years after completion, Tengbom was once again commissioned to review Trygg-Hansa’s office and operations, with the clear objective of optimising the office space from 26,000 to 7,200 square metres. This initiated a transformation process in which the majority of all 500 employees would now work in an activity-based environment.

We did not overlook the connection to the lifebuoy

In close dialogue with the client and their own change manager, we established the concept “cast off” early in the process. This became a metaphor both for the journey ahead and for the new interior design concept. Aesthetically, this resulted in a combination of modern and characterful furniture together with rounded 1970s forms, ensuring the reference to the lifebuoy remained evident. Spatially, it resulted in a completely new layout with a large social meeting point called the Coffice, as well as workspaces and meeting rooms in various sizes and formats.

Dialogue above all

A defining aspect of the project was the dialogue between Tengbom and Trygg-Hansa’s steering group. With shared goals, one can go far.

“In this type of project, prioritisation is often necessary. Therefore, one of the architect’s most important tasks is to guide and support individuals and organisations through differing needs, while also explaining the consequences of various choices and compromises in a clear and accessible way. By seeing the whole, we can steer the project towards the best possible solution,” says Tengbom’s project lead architect Torbjörn Höeg.

“Hello there!” It’s the robot greeting visitors as the yellow gate opens and welcomes them into Goto 10 at Slagthuset in Malmö.

Goto 10 Malmö is located directly by the entrance, while the rest of the building is occupied by a co-working company. The office includes conference and meeting rooms, a café, reception and event areas.

Meeting place for internet innovation

In 2017, Internetstiftelsen’s start-up hub Goto 10 opened in Stockholm. Tengbom was commissioned to create a unique meeting place where the interior would be specially adapted using simple and cost-effective materials.

Three years later, with over 11,000 members and 1,000 events, Malmö gained its own Goto 10. A free meeting place for all the city’s internet lovers. Here, people can organise events, meetups, hackathons, work sessions, share knowledge, and hold discussions on everything related to the internet. The space enables more people to grow and connect, and to share their insights about the web and society.

Dynamic layout and explosion of colour

The layout at Goto 10 accommodates a range of different functions – meeting areas, workspaces, a podcast studio, phone booths, tiered seating for lectures, and a separate section for external events. To create an overview of the premises and a dynamic flow in the plan, we decided together with Goto 10 to open up the space.

A truly distinctive identity

The design is based on contrasts in colour saturation and intensity. From a greyscale foundation – seen on the walls and floors – we turned up the volume to the full colour spectrum, expressed in elements such as the unicorn and the rainbow sofa.

Play meets digital expression

The spaces are imbued with playfulness and inspiration from digital expression, developed in close collaboration with Goto 10. Examples of site-specific features include both custom-built furniture and printed carpets, as well as painted columns and tailored suspended ceilings.

Yet despite the playful character and the explosion of colour, Goto 10 is defined by a sense of welcome, creativity and calm. It stands as a physical twin to the organisation’s digital platform. And in today’s digiphysical age, you can take part in seminars and lectures both online and on site.

The vision “Earthly, with a heavenly touch” set the tone. Heavy, grounded materials like stone and wood meet the light and sensuous through colors, play of light, and details. The result is an environment where the everyday and the spiritual coexist in harmony.

“Our ambition was to create an environment that feels equally like a workplace and a place for contemplation and community. The balance between the earthly and the heavenly guided us throughout the project,” explains Kristina Jonasson, lead interior architect and head of interior design at Tengbom Stockholm.

A workplace with variety

The 5,500 square meters accommodate open areas, meeting rooms, small conversation rooms, and social spaces. Each space has its own atmosphere. From darker, embracing rooms for focus to meeting rooms in muted but rich colors. The ceilings share the same hue as the walls, while the light fixtures provide contrast and spatial depth. The open work areas are kept in calm, neutral tones for focus and balance.

Reuse and continuity

The material palette is both practical and poetic, with reuse as a natural foundation. A large portion of the furniture has been given new life, strengthening both sustainability and the sense of continuity. To achieve a harmonious whole among the various reused tables, we developed a special tabletop tray for technical equipment. A simple, unified expression inspired by the form language of the hymn board.

“Working with reuse was a given. It’s not just about environmental sustainability, but also about giving the building a story and a sense of belonging. The furniture carries traces of previous use and takes on new meaning in this context.”

Kristina Jonasson

The heavenly was our guiding star

Encouraging small talk

At the center of the building lies the glazed cloister garden – a threshold between indoors and outdoors. The greenery and daylight create an important heart for the building, perfect for meetings, pauses, and conversation. We also designed the lounges and coffee stations to encourage moments of connection and informal exchange, using warm materials and attention to detail.

The Church of Sweden’s values, embodied

Church House is now a modern workplace, yet one where the Church of Sweden’s core values are made tangible. It’s a building that mirrors both the foundation of the organization and its forward-looking spirit. Presence. Openness. Hope.

Founded in 2019 by Sorosh Tavakoli and Anja Leissner, Stockeld Dreamery has quickly grown into a key player in sustainable food production. With headquarters in Stockholm and most operations now based in New York, the company develops plant-based cheeses as alternatives to traditional dairy.

“By focusing on innovative food science and sustainability, Stockeld Dreamery aims to offer products that help reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional cheese production, while, of course, still tasting great,” explains Katya Högberg, Lead Interior Architect at Tengbom. “All of this was something we wanted to bring forward in their interior design.”

Seamless transition between lab and social spaces

In the lab, Stockeld Dreamery develops its plant-based cheeses. Our task was to create a smooth transition between the lab and the more social areas of the premises. By reusing glass partitions and countertops, lacquered in the company’s signature color, we managed to create a cohesive whole.

Moreover, the deliberate use of Stockeld Dreamery’s signature orange – in varying shades – reinforces the visual identity and contributes to a unified expression.

The lab features a large amount of repurposed materials. Both glass sections and equipment have been adapted to fit within the overall interior concept. Our design approach was based on balancing functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics.

 “The white tiles with orange grout add a fresh and contemporary feel while anchoring the interior in the company’s strong brand identity.”

Katya Högberg

The kitchen – a campfire

At the heart of the office, the kitchen serves as a natural gathering place for the entire company. Inspired by the campfire as a unifying force, it becomes a flexible hub for events, tastings, and everyday interactions. Here, people come together to bake pizzas, cook meals, and enjoy a warm, restaurant-like atmosphere. Rather than feeling like a traditional office, it offers something else entirely – a space shaped for creativity, collaboration, and community.

Chatter and calm zones

The office is divided into an active and a calm zone, adapted to employees’ different needs. The active zone features lounge areas that encourage conversation and collaboration, while the calm zone provides a secluded environment for focused work. For those seeking a more relaxed setting, it is also possible to work from the kitchenette. This division creates a flexible workspace that can be adapted to different modes and moments of work.

Identity sets the tone

Throughout the project, we collaborated closely with Akademiska Hus. Thanks to flexibility and a shared commitment to solving challenges, we succeeded in creating a space that reflects Stockeld Dreamery’s identity and vision. Craftsmen, project managers and everyone involved embraced the concept and worked together toward the same goal.

“It’s been fantastic to work with such a strong brand,” says Katya Högberg. “We’ve been able to create an interior that is not only functional and aesthetically appealing. It´s also sustainable and adaptable enough to evolve over time.”