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Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture Sweden
Above: City Hall Skåne, Kristianstad. Inaugurated spring 2014. New county and region house. Photo: Felix Gerlach. Below: On-going project MAX IV in Lund. Synchrotron light facilities for molecule and atom research. Illustration by FOJAB Arkitekter.
Design built on local resources The architectural landscape of Scandinavia never ceases to amaze the world. The light-focused, stylish and clean cut has made a name for the Scandinavian architecture, which never seems to grow out of style. Scan Magazine sits down to talk with Cecilia Pering, CEO at FOJAB Arkitekter in Sweden, one of the outstanding gems in the Nordic market. By Astrid Eriksson | Photos: FOJAB Arkitekter
The vision of Swedish architect firm FOJAB is to work with local resources as much as possible, in order to protect the original environment and make the new buildings and designs accessible to the people living around and in them. The goal is to ennoble and enrich the landscape while protecting the integrity of the original scene. This vision is indeed paying off for FOJAB, who have their hands full of new and interesting projects. “Right now,” Pering explains, “we are in the middle of a very exciting project in innovative university city of Lund.” The project is called MAX IV and will with its state-of-the-art design be something completely out of the ordinary. The facility is to be a part of the University’s fresh focus on sustainability and ma-
terial research. Earlier this year the project was awarded the 2014 Best Futura Project and is sure to amaze both with its impressive design as well as its cleverly thought-out underground paths – all made to be functional to the scientists working in the facilities as well as aesthetically pleasing. FOJAB is an architect firm that separates themselves from others in more aspects than their unique projects. They are a company owned by architects and managed by architects, which is quite uncommon in times of outside stakeholders and investors. They call themselves a collective bureau different from the traditional company culture. The roughly 100 people employed by FOJAB constitute a wide range of talents and competence, making it easy for
FOJAB to take on any kind of project, which can be seen in their portfolio. FOJAB is a fairly small company, but a big player in the Scandinavian architectural marketplace. Their projects are endless streams of innovation, and their focus on using local resources puts them on the sustainability map. Their genuine love for what they do resonates in everything they take on. Living by the words ‘engagement’, ‘originality’, ‘meaningfulness’ and ‘vitality’, there’s no wonder that FOJAB is well appreciated by architectural connoisseurs.
For more information, please visit: www.fojab.se
Issue 69 | October 2014 | 93