2_1_ScanMag_69_Oct_2014_Text:Scan Magazine 1
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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture Sweden
changes appearance with the shift of daylight, weather and seasons. Winning for the future For upcoming developments, notable is the refurbishment of one of Europe's best-preserved art museums located in central Stockholm, the National Museum. It will be the most extensive renovation in the building's history, and plans include re-installing the qualities of the original building in line with its history and heritage. LEFT: Founder and owner Gert Wingårdh. RIGHT: Liljevalchs, Stockholm
"We try to give the clients what they didn't know they wanted," explains founder and owner Gert Wingårdh. The award-winning firm is renowned for daring to build constructions that stand out but that also incorporate sophisticated details. Inspired by natural elements, the contemporary designs often combine modern technology and function with organic materials – be it for ambitious high-rise structures, unconventional residential projects, or large-scale industrial buildings. Take the urban planning project Emporia shopping centre in Malmö, which blends long-lasting design in a mixed-use development with offices, housing, and retail. The amber entrance is inspired by the weather of the Öresund sound, and the centre is filled with norm-breaking interior and displayed art. Emporia was awarded best completed building in the shopping category at World Architecture Festival 2013, best interior at Inside Festival 2013, most innovative shopping centre at Mapic Award 2013, and it won the Mipim Awards 2014 for best shopping centre.
with the unspoilt nature and Sami culture. Called the snow trap, the idea is for the building to capture the snow and make for a shifting exterior all year around. Also Universeum science centre and aquarium in Gothenburg was developed in line with the natural elements. With its simple and exposed timber structure, minimal energy requirements and natural ventilation, it also has a built-in ecological message. Universeum was voted Sweden's Best Contemporary Building 2001 and received the Swedish Wooden Award 2004. Also interesting is Wingårdhs' metropolitan project Victoria Tower, one of Stockholm's tallest constructions. The tower stands out as a landmark in silver and gold between the city and the airport. The exterior of the combined hotel and office building is made of coloured glass, and
Wingårdhs has also won a recent international competition for the forward-thinking ellipse design "E = mc²" for Statoil's new office building in Stavanger, Norway. The urban solution with its distinctive appearance impressed the jury for its land utilisation, economy and architectural and functional solutions. Another winning proposal is the extension for Liljevalchs art hall, located on Djurgården island in Stockholm. The design consists of a 2,400m2 building in three levels, including display rooms, a shop and café. With art at its very core, the longed-for new structure, it is believed, will become a popular addition to Stockholm's cultural scene. By Malin Norman Photos & Renderings: Wingårdhs
For more information, please visit: www.wingardhs.se
Playing with natural elements In September, Naturum Laponia in the natural park Stora Sjöfallet in Lappland was inaugurated. Located in the middle of Europe’s last wilderness, the area experiences the strongest winds and highest snow pressure in Sweden. The modern building was inspired by the extreme environment and climate and is a surprising but well-fitting structure, harmonising
LEFT: Statoil, Stavanger. RIGHT: Victoria Tower, Kista. Photo: Ola Fogelström
Issue 69 | October 2014 | 81