1. Stockholm Waterfront Address: Nils Ericsons Plan 4, Stockholm Architect: White arkitekter Year: 2011 The conference centre is the obvious carbuncle on Stockholm’s waterfront, paying no dues to the historic city hall next to it and failing to rationalise the surrounding infrastructure. To many residents this building is material embodiment of Stockholm City’s increasing commercialisation.
2. Scandic Continental Hotel Address: Vasagatan 22, 111 20 Stockholm Architect: 3xN Year: 2017 The Scandic Continental was recently completed following the demolition of the existing hotel. It handles the mess of surrounding infrastructure poorly. The attempt to deal with the extra mass of the building is half-hearted and the angular façade is disconcerting.
3. Näringsdepartementets hus Address: 28 Jakobsgatan, Stockholm Architect: Nils Tesch, BAU Arkitekter Year: 1971, 2012 The original Näringsdepartementets hus is inoffensive, with a playful fenestration contrasting a heavy materiality. However, the 2012 addition on the roof clashes both formally and materially, over-sailing the existing form like a grounded battleship.
4. Hötorgshus 1–5 Architect: Helldén, Anders, Markelius, Lallerstedt, Backström & Reinius Year: 1960-1966 The succession of high-rise building blocks on Sveavägen in the centre of Stockholm as drastically changed the city landscape. Contrasting with the older and lower buildings of the city-centre, the buildings were at the time of their construction an attempt at modernisation. Today, they may be described as outdated and in need of refurbishment.
5. Kristall Address: Sergels torg Designer: Edvin Öhrström Year: 1974 It is a pity that a tower that has got such a beautiful effect in the night, thanks to the games of light, then turns into some alien obelisk that looks everything but a glass tower designed, on purpose, by an artist.
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