Stretching between Stadshotellet and Sandgrundsparken, the long quays of central Karlstad tell the story of both past and present. Once a bustling marketplace, the area had gradually turned into asphalt, car parks, and tourist bus stops. Now, the Älvpromenaden was about to reclaim its charm—roads and parking spaces would make way for public squares and pedestrian-friendly streets.

A place to pause and unwind

Our goal was to bring people back to this beautiful waterfront. We wanted to create a space where anyone could stop and enjoy the surroundings—at sunrise or sunset, whether arriving by foot, bike, or car. A peaceful setting that works just as well for quiet moments alone as for spontaneous gatherings.

The piers encourage visitors to get close to the water, while the pergolas offer a sense of shelter and a place to socialise. The seating islands? They’re yours to use however you like.

We put people back at the heart of Museigatan and brought history into the present

Inspired by timber rafting

The history of timber rafting and the former marketplace—where uniform paving once stretched from the building façades to the quays—served as the foundation for Älvpromenaden’s design.

A cohesive surface was created, unifying cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles under the same conditions, with a shared speed limit of 5 km/h. Square timber beams were incorporated into the paving, piers, pergolas, and seating areas, symbolising the floating logs of Karlstad’s past. Seen from a distance, they almost appear to drift across the shimmering stone surface.

Bringing stone to life

Speaking of shimmer — the team selected granite paving in varying sizes and finishes to reflect light and mirror the movement of the river. High-fired brick restored the pavement, creating a link to old Karlstad. This material choice seamlessly connects the Stadshotellet with the early 20th-century villas along the quay while also defining the boundary between the residential area and public spaces.

History, reimagined

Cultural heritage requires care and consideration. Preserving the biotope-protected pyramidal elms, originally planted in the 1930s, was a key aspect of the Älvpromenaden’s design. The historic cast-iron water pump, once a vital water source for the community, was reimagined as a modern feature. Now, it serves as a playful element for children.

And the statue of Sola i Karlstad? She was given a new, more dignified location.

The story doesn’t end here. We’ve also designed an extension for the historic Karlstad Stadshotell, currently under construction. And just like with the waterfront, the ambition is the same—to honour history while shaping it for today.

Many residents in Hammarbyhöjden and Björkhagen have actively chosen to live here because of the closeness to nature. Now, as the area becomes denser, it is crucial to preserve and strengthen Nytorps Gärde as a green heart. It must continue to serve as a central meeting place for recreation and social life. The denser Stockholm grows, the more essential local parks become.

Over two thousand new dwellings and a more peaceful park space

Our assignment consisted of developing a proposal for the new Nytorps Gärde and making sure that the expanded Hammarbyhöjden-Björkhagen has a well-functioning outdoor environment and green structure. The proposal for the area means that the districts will become denser to the tune of about 2 700 new homes.

The expansion proposal concentrates the new dwellings in three areas. These include Hammarbyvägen, Hammarbyskogen, and western Nytorps Gärde. The open space, which is Gärdet’s most important quality, will be preserved. Most of the construction will be limited to the northwestern section of the field. The program also includes a proposed oak and hazel alley. Alongside this, a forest-edge alley with new biotopes and an activity alley will form the park’s three main streets.

The ambition for Nytorps Gärde is to lift the area, strengthen the connection to the city surrounding it and offer activities, mingling and recreation for all.

Activities for all – regardless of class and gender

Today, the area around Nytorps Gärde have fairly generous activity areas that mainly attract boys. For this reason, we have focused our proposal for Nytorps Gärde and the areas set aside for sports on creating areas that will attract girls from all classes of society and origin to become more physically active. Nytorpsbadet will be extended and there will be a dance and ice rink with mirror walls along the proposed street. We have placed areas for play and movement close to natural meeting spots. These include trampolines and balancing nets, designed to encourage activity without competition.

Inspiration from the Stockholm school

In the 1940s and 50s, Stockholm city actively developed the region’s green parks. It enhanced nature and made it accessible by adding paths, benches, and playgrounds. This approach, later known as the Stockholm school, established parks as central public spaces for socializing, play, exercise, culture, and recreation. The park theatre and park play programs flourished, and comprehensive art initiatives were introduced.

We base our proposals on the values and traditions of the Stockholm school. For Nytorps Gärde, our ambition is to enhance the area, strengthen its connection to the surrounding city, and create spaces for activities, social interaction, and recreation for everyone. We aim to preserve and enhance the existing natural features, such as the forest edges and open fields. At the same time, we introduce new biotopes to enrich the landscape.