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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture Sweden
A whole new world – Liljewall on building a fair future Four years ago the Swedish Liljewall Architects put equality and environmental impact at the top of their agenda and since then their success has soared. Today their progressive architecture and expertise is in high demand around the world, and we speak to CEO Per-Henrik Johansson about why he sees sustainability as one of the keys to triumph. By Bella Qvist | Photos: Liljewall
Founded in 1980, Liljewall Architects was well established when the firm presented a new business plan in 2010. The aim was to become not just one of the largest architectural firms in Sweden, but also to be leading in the field of architecture and urban development. Today they are just that, and more. Thanks to dedicated work on societal issues such as gender equality and environmental impact, as well as accessibility, safety and – most importantly – sustainability, Liljewall has excelled. “If we want to create a more sustainable society then we need to start with setting
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an example ourselves,” says Johansson, adding that he sees combatting climate change in-house as well as on site as a top priority. “Ten years ago we tried to push for these issues and today it’s often our clients that ask for them, so we see that as a very positive development,” he says, adding: “Here in Sweden we are at the forefront of this; we get many requests to give talks about sustainability all over the world.” One request came from China, where Liljewall is building the country’s first passive energy office – a massive 25,000 square metre block in Harbin. “From zero-
energy houses to biogas projects, we work with all kinds of environmentally friendly buildings and there are big decisions to make in order to switch over to this,” says Johansson, adding that more Chinese projects are in the pipeline but that he doesn’t want to rush things. Other projects get primary focus. One of them is Herrestasskolan, a crosslaminated timber school planned for Barkarbystaden, Järfälla, which will be representing Sweden at the World SB14 conference in Barcelona in October. The building, which also includes a library and a sport centre, has solar cells and green roofs and is hugely innovative in terms of environmental sustainability.
Safety first Official buildings such as schools, swimming pools and power plants form the