Archives

Margretedal

A living room in street form
Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Plan & programs, Residential
Client: Riksbyggen, MIdroc, Nordr, Lunds kommun, LKF, LKP
Location: Margretedal, Lunds kommun
Project years: 2017-ongoing
Assignment: Parallel mission for the Margretedal quarter

Can the warmth of home life be extended into the streets? Tengbom’s proposal for Margretedal reimagines the urban space — creating entirely new social arenas.

Tengbom and Margretedal go way back. In 1999, we won an architectural competition to transform this former industrial area in Lund into a residential neighbourhood. Nearly 25 years later, the city has evolved, and so have the needs of its residents. Increased traffic on Södra Vägen and an open structure that no longer serves the area mean it’s time for a new approach.

The vision? Bold and compact. Three architecture firms, including Tengbom, joined the challenge of proposing a new structure. The goal was to create central-city living with high residential quality, striking architecture, lush greenery, and a rich cultural environment.

The park houses feature lightweight materials and sit among abundant greenery, creating an experiential and varied urban space. The block remains open while maintaining a sense of enclosure through the surrounding street areas. Hardebergastråket transforms into a scenic promenade that enlivens the neighborhood.

Architecture that fosters new connections

As a city with a constant influx of visitors, Lund demands a strong contextual approach. Our ambition is to create a district with great social qualities — a place that actively encourages encounters between people.

A street that invites life

Our proposal makes the city more accessible — imagine a lively, green street where paths cross, dogs play, and neighbours stop for a coffee. The urban environment is designed with variety in mind: a vibrant social thoroughfare, intimate alleyways, and private retreats.

The building scale in the alleys and the generous forecourt area create space for spontaneous encounters and interactions among neighbors.

Neighbourhood life, designed for well-being

Developed in close collaboration with Lund Municipality and the developers, our design prioritises quality of life. A mix of housing sizes creates diverse living opportunities, while varied building heights and a carefully designed roofscape enrich the overall experience. Many buildings will also feature private or shared rooftop terraces — perfect for gardening or spontaneous gatherings.

The angled and narrowing alleys reduce noise from the south while creating a comfortable scale and climate within the streets. In the park buildings, private balconies pair with a shared rooftop terrace, keeping outdoor space always within reach.

Harmonious tones of brown and beige define the neighborhood. Shared outdoor areas blend with private residential courtyards, terraces, and individual outdoor spaces.

Contact person

Ulrika Lundquist

+46 40 641 31 33

Velodrome

For cycling and multisports
Architecture velodrome
Architecture, Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Sports & Health
Location: Jönköping
Year: 2024
Type of Project: Vision
Status: Declaration of Intent approved by the municipality, April 2024
Visualizations: PLAY-TIME Barcelona

From a distance, it resembles a hovering vessel. But inside, the proposed velodrome is designed to host cyclists from around the world, while also functioning as a multisport arena for concerts and exhibitions. The proposal also includes an adjacent 80-room hotel—a vision developed by Tengbom.

Tengbom is responsible for the conceptual design of the velodrome in Jönköping. As of April 2024, the municipality has approved a declaration of intent, marking the first step in the construction process. The multi-arena, including the velodrome and hotel, is planned for Hedenstorp, just a ten-minute bike ride from downtown Jönköping.

“We are crossing our fingers that this project becomes a reality,” says Matt Patterson, Office Director and Architect at Tengbom in Jönköping, who has been involved in the project since its inception alongside Jonas Marculescu, Simon Fast, and Erik Wingquist.

Local materials, local craftsmanship, local expertise

What would a velodrome be without Småland timber?

The design concept suggests a wooden structure or a hybrid of timber columns and concrete slabs. Timber, a vital material for transitioning to a carbon-neutral world, also promotes health and well-being while reflecting Småland’s traditions in architecture, craftsmanship, and industry.

“Timber ties the design to Småland’s identity—geographically, historically, and industrially,” Matt explains.

With major timber industries in the region, the project can minimize transportation emissions from raw materials to prefabricated components. The design includes timber facades for both the velodrome and the hotel. Green roofs with sedum and solar panels will enhance both buildings. Sedum improves rainwater absorption and cools the rooftop microclimate, which helps solar panels operate more efficiently on warm days.

An attraction boosting public health

Jönköping has strong ties to cycling, notably through the Vätternrundan race. Centrally located in Sweden, 93% of licensed cyclists live within a 300-kilometer radius of the city.

Sustainability x innovation

Proximity to the Vattenledningsområdet recreational area increases accessibility for city residents. The velodrome, with its distinctive design, becomes a landmark for Jönköping, contributing to Hedenstorp’s identity.

“Building with local materials, manufacturers, and expertise also strengthens Jönköping as an innovation hub for timber construction and sustainable architecture,” concludes Matt.

Contact person

Matt Patterson

Lead Architect
+46 36 440 90 81

Trikåfabriken

A sustainable intersection of old and new
Architecture, Urban Development
Building Preservation & Restoration, Idea & Vision, Offices
Client: Fabege
Location: Stockholm
Assignment years: 2014-2019
Builder: Fabege
Partners: Tyréns, Brandskyddsalget, Bengt Dahlgren, PRN Elkonsult
Environmental certifications: BREEAM SE Very Good

The Trikåfabriken building in Hammarby Sjöstad exemplifies how contemporary architecture can connect the past with the present while adding a new layer to the city’s history. In 2015, Tengbom won the architectural competition announced by Fabegé, and today, a completed hybrid building demonstrates how architects will need to work in the future.

Trikåfabriken
Trikåfabriken is located in Hammarby Sjöstad, in southern Stockholm. Photo: Felix Gerlach

A changing neighborhood

Trikåfabriken is a 25,000-square-meter office building located in the former industrial district of Hammarby Sjöstad, an area undergoing significant transformation. The building and its neighboring properties retain a distinct industrial character, which has been carefully preserved and highlighted in its redevelopment. The original brick structure from 1929 has been expanded with a five-story wooden extension. The project also included a complete interior renovation of the entire block. After demolition, only the structural frame of the original building remained.

Trikåfabriken
The team merged the previous separate entrances into one main entrance. The atrium now serves as the central hub for all tenants and welcomes the general public to the heart of the complex. Photo: Felix Gerlach

Central atrium

Entrances via bridges enhance flexibility. Photo: Felix Gerlach

The design centers the building’s internal communication around a main staircase with elevators in the new atrium. To maximize flexibility, the team added bridges to each floor. These bridges provide views over the newly designed, plaza-like space.

All entries are accessed via these bridges, creating a dynamic setup for tenants who prefer shorter leases or need flexibility in their spaces. Co-working areas also act as adaptable zones, accommodating varying needs and functions between tenants.

Tengbom has provided tenant adaptations and interior design for the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Hyper Island, and the ground-floor café, Yume.

Wood is wonderful

Wood is a prominent material in Trikåfabriken, offering both a tactile and educational experience. It reflects an honest design philosophy where nothing is hidden or artificial. The ambition is to make the connection between old and new as clear as possible, which is why the wooden framework is exposed internally and visible from the exterior, showcasing both columns and floor slabs.

Trikåfabriken
Trikåfabriken’s wooden frame generates 50% less CO2 than steel or concrete would, and also helps balance indoor humidity levels. Photo: Robin Hayes
Trikåfabriken
Photo: Robin Hayes

Wood is sustainable

Wood is a material that most people can relate to, and many find it pleasant to interact with. Beyond giving Trikåfabriken a strong identity and character, it is, of course, an environmentally smart choice and a contributing factor to its BREEAM Very Good certification. A wooden framework binds carbon and is lighter than both steel and concrete, enabling a lighter extension that required less structural reinforcement.

Contemporary design in Trikåfabriken

The façade of the extension features corten steel, a material with a strong character. It complements the original brickwork without mimicking it. To highlight the connection between old and new, the design includes a visual break. An entire floor made of glass creates this separation.

Trikåfabriken
The Corten steel roof and façade consists largely of recycled material and is maintenance-free throughout its lifespan. Photo: Felix Gerlach

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Practice Director Stockholm
+46 8 412 53 43

Bryggudden Residencials

Where history meets the present
Architecture, Landscape, Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Parks, Play & Public Spaces, Residential, Residential environments
Client: Löfbergs fastigheter, Prepart projektutveckling, Byggbolaget
Place: Karlstad
Years of commission: 2011 - ongoing
Awards and Recognitions: Winner of the Architecture Award, Karlstad Municipality 2017 & 2018
Contractor: Löfbergs fastigheter/SPG Bostad

Bryggudden, Karlstad’s newest district, sits right on the water, just a stone’s throw from the city center. The gentle sounds of boats in the Inner Harbour fill the air. The rich aroma of Löfberg’s Coffee Roasters drifts through the streets. Historic harbor warehouses stand beside modern housing, creating a vibrant and timeless waterfront atmosphere.

Bryggudden is growing! The number of homes is increasing at a steady pace and is filled with people who want to live here, where classic landmarks and old buildings meet new. Bryggudden is surrounded by water on two sides. All the apartments in the new buildings have balconies and if you look east, there is a view of Pråmkanalen. When Löfbergs moved their warehouse, the ambition of Löfberg Fastigheter AB was to fill the area with more apartments, a large food store, a preschool and a multi storey car park. Today, Bryggudden is an area full of life.

New residential area surrounded by water

On the south-west side of Bryggudden there is a quay area where you can walk along the jetties, cafes, and outdoor restaurants. If you turn east, there is a canal area where the sides of the buildings are facing the street. These two areas meet at the Redaretorget at the southernmost tip of the area. This is where the city’s newest landmark can be found, in the shape of Karlstad’s tallest building: a 20-storey high apartment complex housing 62 flats with a view of Karlstad and Vänern.

600 high quality homes

Tengbom  has been involved in Bryggudden since the project began. The team has developed seven phases—four completed, two underway, and one still on the drawing board.

In recent years, several large construction projects have finished, with more on the way. These include both rental and privately owned apartments. So far, Tengbom has designed over 600 modern, high-quality homes in Bryggudden.

 

Our vision for Bryggudden has been to create exclusive residences inspired by the character of the old harbor warehouses in the area.

A touch of the old warehouse

The classic 1950s buildings with light brick across Pråmkanalen inspired the latest phases of Bryggudden. The upcoming phases maintain the same volume and scale but take on colors from surrounding buildings. Dark red brick and black detailing create a strong connection to the harbor warehouses.

“We use a lot of bricks and solid materials,” says Anki Haasma, architect and office manager. “The client, Löfberg Fastigheter, wants to preserve the marina feel.”

Well-known landmarks in Karlstad frame the new area, and many residents enjoy views of Karlstad’s water tower.

Contact person

Elin Larsson

Practice Director Karlstad
+46 702 75 67 66

Brunnshög

Living rather than consuming
Architecture, Landscape, Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Parks, Play & Public Spaces, Residential, Residential environments, Squares & Streets
Client: Coop Utvecklingsfastigheter AB
Location: Brunnshög, Lund
Year of commission: 2015
Type of project: Sustainable neighbourhood
Partners: WSP (Innovativ projektledning)
Competences: Urban planning, Landscape, Residential, Retail, Sustainability, Infrastructure

As part of the contest for land allocation in a new district for housing and daily consumer goods, the aim was to create a future-orientated, urban, mixed-use district fully adapted to its surroundings in Brunnshög. The objective is to develop the Brunnshög district, based in Lund, into the world´s leading environment for innovation and research and a showcase for world-class urban development. By adopting a sensible, responsible approach to planning, we envisage a fantastic place in which to live, work and spend time. The vision is to make Brunnshög sufficiently appealing to attract visitors from all over the world. But how?

Situated in the north east of Lund, the new district of Brunnshög is emerging around the two research facilities of MAX IV and ESS. It is envisaged that the area will be home to around 40,000 residents and workers.

Illustration: Tengbom
Illustration: Tengbom

Our vision of a sustainable community

As our society grows increasingly urbanised, we face the considerable challenges posed by climate change, more stringent demands on sustainability, constant time pressure and ill health. Although much of what makes us feel good costs nothing – chatting with our neighbours, daily exercise and a good night’s sleep – this is typically what many of us are lacking. Climate change is posing new, increasingly demanding challenges on the robustness of developments in relation to heat and water. Global warming is an issue many people find difficult to comprehend. What difference does it make if I take a holiday on the local hiking trail rather than travelling to Thailand?

Although much of what makes us feel good costs nothing – chatting with our neighbours, daily exercise and a good night’s sleep – this is typically what many of us are lacking.

Architecture which maximises sensory impression

When devising the concept for the district in proximity to the future square and tramway stop in Brunnshög, it was imperative that its functions and ambitions would meet the high standards encompassed by the Brunnshög vision. Our proposal involves creating a living environment for people and animals, which encourages taking the time to live and breathe, rather than consuming products. Minimising environmental impact by sharing, renting, borrowing or exchanging items. Maximising sensory impression through appealing architecture, which emphasises cultivation, food and dialogue.

Illustration: Tengbom
Illustration: Tengbom

A district focused on the dining area

Our new district—the dining area of the future—focuses on the entire life cycle of food. It covers everything from cultivation to sales, preparation, and food waste management. The area is deeply connected to food and the dialogue around its role in the future of the city. A robust flexibility allows various participants to contribute and interpret food’s significance in different ways.

Our vision with the district is to create a diverse range of urban spaces of different sizes, functions and green structures. We want the buildings constructed here to stand for a hundred years. That is why we chose bricks for the façade, symbolising safety, warmth, identification, power and authority. Steel, wood and glass elements were also added as a clear compliment to the central brickwork. Over time, vines will grow over façades and balconies, becoming an integrated part of the design. The structures withstand use, reuse, and the test of time.

Contact person

Kajsa Crona

Practice Director Gothenburg
+46 727 07 79 73

Hammarby Sjöstad/Sustainable City

Sustainable district creates inspiration worldwide
Architecture, Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Plan & programs, Process & Dialogue, Residential, Urban planning
Client: The City of Stockholm
Year of commission: 1997 – 2007, 2013 - 2016
Partners: Several
Developer: The City of Stockholm, Erik Wallin, Stockholmshem, Riksbyggen, Einar Mattsson
Skills/studios: Urban Development, Housing, Helsingborg, among others

Development of the internationally renowned Sustainable City district (Hammarby Sjöstad), one of Stockholm’s largest urban development projects with a strong environmental profile, got under way as early as 1990. We’ve participated on large parts of the project over the years, including work on the in-depth master plan, several zoning plans and many other construction projects.

Sustainable City spans the area around Stockholm’s Hammarby sjö (Lake Hammarby), covering Södra Hammarbyhamnen as well as parts of Södermalm. By 2017, the district will expand to include around 11,000 residences, housing over 25,000 inhabitants. The district forms a natural expansion of Stockholm’s inner city area, something that has influenced its architecture, infrastructure and urban development plan.

Hammarby Sjöstad
Photo: K-A Larsson

The Olympic village dream

From the start, planners envisioned the new district as an Olympic village. The idea was to create a sustainable neighborhood over the worn-down Hammarby harbor and industrial area. This development could have supported Sweden’s bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games. However, events took a different turn. By then, the vision for Hammarby Sjöstad had already taken shape—an environmentally friendly inner-city district offering modern housing for thousands of Stockholmers.

 

From master plan to GlashusEtt

Our involvement in the development of Sustainable City stretches all the way back to 1997. Among other things, we have worked on the in-depth master plan for the entire area and several zoning plans, including documentation, as well as the detailed planning and configuration programme for over 2,400 apartments as well as public spaces, workplaces, amenities and much more.

We’ve also designed GlashusEtt, the City of Stockholm’s first environmental information centre, which has generated a great deal of attention, both in Sweden and globally, since it was opened in 2002. The centre provides information about the Sjöstad environmental programme, among other ventures, with considerable dedication, and has inspired other cities around the world to follow a similar path.

Hammarby Sjöstad
Photo: Björn Lofterud

A transparent building controls and showcases key elements of the area’s environmental technology. In the cellar, it houses an automated vacuum collection tank and a rectifier station for the Tvärbanan link. The building operates through a complex environmental technology system. It uses impulse-controlled heat pumps, ventilators, convectors, and blinds. A biogas boiler, weather station, and solar cell technology are also integrated into the system.

The ultimate objective was to reduce total environmental impact by 50%, in comparison to a typical area constructed at the start of the 1990s.

Photo: K-A Larsson
Photo: K-A Larsson

The Hammarby model

The development of Sustainable City transformed the vision of a sustainable urban district into a detailed environmental program. The ultimate objective was to reduce total environmental impact by 50%, in comparison to a typical area constructed at the start of the 1990s. However, more stringent environmental demands required a completely new set of solutions. This included a closed-loop system – the Hammarby model – with solutions for energy, waste, water and sewerage.

Kasper Salin Prize winner in 2005

In 2005, Hammarby Sjöstad (Sickla Quay, Sickla Canal and Sjöstadsparterren) received the Kasper Salin Prize, one of the finest distinctions in Swedish architecture. This prize also recognised our involvement in the urban development plan for Sickla Quay. Here is an excerpt from the award statement:

”In recognition of an expertly integrated district in a beautiful city space, where urban intensity contrasts with soothing greenery and water. Through a sound balance between content, scale and infrastructure, a human touch has been harnessed in a large, complex context.”

Furthermore, you can read more about Hammarby Sjöstad at the City of Stockholm website.

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Practice Director Stockholm
+46 8 412 53 43

Ropstenskajen

Wood inside and out
Ropstenskajen
Architecture, Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Residential
Client: Folkhem
Location: Norra Djurgårdsstaden, Stockholm
Year of commission: 2014
Type of project: Residential concept
Competences: Residential, 3D illustration

In 2014, Folkhem gave eighteen of Sweden’s foremost architecture firms the task of designing a wooden housing project each in Stockholm. Folkhem’s objective was to be able to offer Stockholm’s city the opportunity to construct 6,000 dwellings made entirely from wood over a ten-year period. We were one of the firms that said yes to Folkhem’s brief and after that, the proposal for Ropstenskajen in Norra Djurgårdsstaden started to emerge on our drafting tables.

Just by the water next to the bridgeheads of the Lidingö bridge, we find Ropstenskajen. We see a neighbourhood that breathes tactility. Where the borders between town and nature are erased. Everything is made from wood – from the houses’ supporting structure all the way out to the facades and the balconies that are covered in wood panelling of varying profiles. By using a variation of roof contours, size of buildings and different colours, we are creating lively shifts in an environment that is still characterised by a strong natural unity.

Ropstenskajen
Illustration: Tengbom

Floors to walk barefoot on

Inside the dwellings, we find daylight, space and an unexpected ceiling height. Lidingö and the emerging Norra Djurgårdsstaden is always present when looking out at the water through large windows and from every apartment balcony or terrace. The sun protection is aided by part sliding screens in the facade. The use of the material is consistent even in the indoor environment, with visible wooden construction in ceilings and walls. Here, there are qualities for all senses. Sturdy floorboards that seem to be created for bare feet.

Living environments for the residents and visitors

Ropstenskajen is a living neighbourhood with about 130 apartments in the northern part and 120 apartments in the southern one with the opportunity for commercial premises down towards the water and along the main routes. We would like for the architecture in the area to also contribute to social activities. The buildings’ recessed entrances with social areas will become the porches of our time, places for spontaneous meetings with new acquaintances in the transition between the indoor and outdoor environment. We have consciously designed the dwellings to be surface efficient to be financially available to as many people as possible.

Ropstenskajen
Illustration: Tengbom

We believe that wooden constructions that are built and equipped with a modern technique create a healthy living environment, where we feel well – at the same time, we are encouraged to live in a sustainable and aware fashion.

Why wood?

Living in a wooden house is something special. It breathes, smells, and feels different. It stands the test of time and ages beautifully. With modern construction techniques, wood creates a healthy living environment where we thrive. At the same time, it encourages us to live more sustainably and mindfully.

But it is not only the humans that benefit from wooden houses. So does the environment. Wood is a completely renewable resource that forms part of the natural cycle. Wooden construction requires less intervention in the environment, and is twice as fast to build, compared with concrete buildings.

The greatest advantage with wooden buildings is that they do not emit any carbon dioxide. Instead, they bind carbon monoxide. Folkhem’s proposal to construct 6,000 dwellings from wood would save us approximately 600,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide emissions. It would be the same as stopping all the air traffic at Bromma airport for 50 years. Read more about the advantages with wooden houses and the initiatives on Folkhem’s website.

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

+46 8 412 53 43

Pallas

The new trademark of Borås
Architecture, Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Residential, Retail
Client: BRA Bygg, Järngrinden, Cernera Fastigheter AB
Location: Borås
Years of commission: 2015-2017
Contractor: BRA Bygg
Type of project: Residential block with commercial space
Competences: Residential, Retail

On behalf of the property owners Järngrinden and Cernera, we are developing the block Pallas in central Borås, Sweden, with the intention of integrating the building better into the city. New apartments are being built on the roof, infusing the area with life around the clock. Pallas will be a new trademark for Borås, an excursion in the city.

The vision for the Pallas project is to recreate the benefits of a time when the area was full of optimism and a trust in the future. Therefore, it has been important to convey the design and function in a broader perspective. Architects Alessandro Ripellino developed the concept for Pallas and the team at Tengbom has been working on the construction documents for the project and also on the design of the new Pallas Tower. The original Domus building will be transformed into an attractive, vibrant, open and elegant neighbourhood in the centre of town.

Pallas
Visionary concept for Pallas. Illustration: Zynka

The vision for the Pallas project is to recreate the benefits of a time when the area was full of optimism and a trust in the future.

Homes on the roof and commercial space with a unique Borås identity

The two newly constructed residential storeys are located on top of the existing building with a steep roof which relates to the surrounding buildings. The apartments feature panoramic windows and therefore have a fantastic view of the town’s park and roof scape. The homes on the roof are located around a common green courtyard.

The block also features commercial space mainly on two levels and an indoor car park with approx. 320 spaces. The façades of the building of perforated stainless steel are meant to advertise and distinguish a commercial block with a ‘Borås identity’, at the same time as it is meant to make the parking spaces behind more diffuse. The connection between parking, shopping and living is enhanced and the building will be given new entrances and passages. In the last stage, the 33 storey high Pallas Tower will be constructed.

Pallas
Illustration: Zynka

The Pallas Tower – a signature building in Borås

With its 33 floors, the Pallas Tower will stand as a striking landmark, adding to the ambition of the Pallas project. Architecturally, it blends with the surrounding buildings while still making a bold statement. By building upwards, the project maximises space without encroaching on green areas or other urban spaces. At the same time, it reshapes how both residents and visitors experience Borås. And, of course, future occupants will enjoy an impressive view.

Contact person

Jerker Kryander

Studio Manager Borås
+46 31 775 52 28

ABC 2.0

The development of a growing metro city
Urban Development
Idea & Vision
Client: Ikano Bostad
Location: Stockholm
Year of commission: 2013
Type of project: Urban development concept

Stockholm is one of the fastest growing regions in Europe. More and more people move into the area and in 2020, over one million people are expected to be living in this city. New homes, better public transport, commerce and service – available to all – are some of the challenges that have to be solved in order to create a good living environment for all the people of Stockholm.

The classic ABC city

The city concept, ABC, where the residents were to have access to Work, Home and a Town centre (Arbete, Bostad och Centrum), became very popular when planning the suburbs of Stockholm in the 50s, prime examples of which are Vällingby och Farsta. The need for an innovative approach was the result of the great housing crisis and the flocking of people to Stockholm after the second world war. The ABC city solved many challenging problems but it also created a new one – in reality, the city became fragmented and spread out over a large area. The suburbs became satellites that did not connect.

ABC 2.0
Illustration: Tengbom

The railway station is the hub of the ABC 2.0

The result of the ABC project is what we see today. At the same time, we are facing a similar challenge including an enormous housing crisis. We need to find innovative and creative solutions and think in a different way when it comes to the existing environment. In the concept ABC 2.0, we would like to focus on the enormous potential of the railway/bus stations, both as a cross roads for public transport and a hub for our new travel patterns, as well as a catalyst for the development of all of Stockholm. Instead of fragmenting the city, we want to gather and concentrate it.

ABC 2.0
Illustration: Tengbom

The station is the starting point of our concept, where we combine housing, services, and commerce. By using space more efficiently and building upwards, we create new types of homes with greater variety. The concept allows for more housing, better services, and improved accessibility. Shops, restaurants, and other activities add life to the public space.

Contact person

Mark Humphreys

Practice Director Stockholm
+46 8 412 53 43

Borstahusen

Modern village spurs on development
Urban Development
Idea & Vision, Urban planning
Client: City of Landskrona
Location: Landskrona
Years of commission: 2009-2012
Contractor: City of Landskrona
Type of project: City Building Mission - Vision Programmes
Competences: Urban Planning, Landscape

At Borstahusen, a fishing village from the 1770s in north west Landskrona, we have developed a visionary programme for an entirely new neighbourhood including approximately 1,200 homes. The project is part of Landskrona local authority’s plans to attract new target groups and harness the development capacity of Öresund.

Borstahusen is one of four focus areas that Landskrona local authority have chosen to take a closer look at from a development perspective. Right next to the old fishing village, there is a larger area with a campsite, golf course and a sports track. By finding alternative locations for these, there is the opportunity to release a large area for the development of a new neighbourhood right by the water – a unique position in Skåne county.

What is an interesting urban environment?

A visionary programme of this type requires both experience and a large dose of creativity. And maybe above all – many a conversation about what really good urban planning actually means. The ambition for the project was to create something so interesting that it attracts entirely new target groups such as business leaders and innovators. We wanted to design something completely new and different.

Illustration: Tengbom
Illustration: Tengbom

A modern fishing village

Based on our discussions, a modern interpretation of a traditional Skåne fishing village emerged with similar structural features but to a new scale and with different architecture. From the public beach and in towards land, we wanted to create an environment where the views of the water were the most beautiful and available to all. Closest to the beach, we dared design low volumes and then increase the scale the further in towards the neighbourhood we got. Today, it is often standard to design high-rise blocks near the water to give more residents a nice view. We are trying to offer a view of the water to more parts of the city. The beach environment in an area based on a smaller scale will also become more enjoyable to the public.

Illustration: Tengbom
Illustration: Tengbom

A living neighbourhood with views of Öresund

We have worked hard to develop a visual contact between the city and the water. On some streets that lead straight to the beach, you can step outside the door of your terraced house quite a long way away from the beach and still see all the way to the island of Ven. The many green spaces feature narrow footpaths that also run in the direction of the water. Another challenge is to create a living environment with functions, services and flows that work naturally and that create a social community. We have focused intensively on both details and unity so that neither streets nor green areas feel like forgotten places.

We have carefully created principles and typologies that are functional so that the qualities of the vision are not lost on the way to realisation.

Borstahusen
Illustration: Tengbom

A vision about to be realised

Borstahusen is a large area and we have carefully created principles and typologies that are functional so that the qualities of the vision are not lost on the way to realisation. Landskrona local authority liked our proposal and today, the development process has started in Strandbyn closest to the sea where a few construction projects have begun. Strandbyn is divided into ten subareas split between five builders. The principles of the programme for structure, construction and scale offer a creative freedom that appears to stimulate a high architectural level in the new projects, which makes us both happy and full of expectations when it comes to future development of the area.

Contact person

Emma Nilsby

Practise Director Skåne
+46 40 641 31 43