Hasta La Ideas

Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group have won a competition to masterplan a new gateway to Stockholm at the intersection of two motorways. 

Called Energy Valley, their proposal for Stockholmsporten will create an artificial valley containing a park with separate areas of forest, wetlands, grass lawns and hills, and will also feature a mirrored sphere hovering over the road junction.

Continuous cycle paths and footpaths looping through the area will connect attractions including a shopping centre, a hammam and a mosque.

Built around the junction between the E18 and E4 highways, Stockholmsporten is the largest infrastructure project in Sweden.

BIG win the competition in collaboration with Grontmij and Spacescape.

More information on the Stockholmsporten masterplan competition here (in Swedish)

All our stories about BIG »

Here’s some more information from the architects:

BIG WINS THE STOCKHOLMSPORTEN MASTER PLAN

BIG + Grontmij + Spacescape are the winning team for the Stockholmsporten master plan competition to design an inviting new entrance portal into Stockholm at the intersection of a newly planned super-junction.

The planned Hjulsta Intersection 15 km north of Stockholm where two European highways the E18 and E4 Bypasses converge into a three level intersection, amounts to the largest infrastructure project in Sweden, required due to the growth and development of the capital. The Stockholmsporten competition seeks to define the Hjulsta intersection through sculpting the surrounding landscape and framing the automotive scale of the intersection. Additionally the proposal connects the adjacent Järvafäl tet recreation area through a continuous promenade to the distinctive natural and heritage-laden environment and adds new qualities to the site. BIG was selected as the winner of the invited competition among proposals from Norwegian Snøhetta, Danish landscape architect Kristine Jensen and Swedish Erik Giudice Architects.

”The magnificent bowl shape of this proposal is an ingenious solution which interacts with the geometry of the intersection while at the same time creating an urban context linking together the different areas surrounding the site. Possibilities of adding qualities and activities to the place which will benefit residents are very elegantly added.” Jury Report, Stockholmsporten.

Prior to this competition, the intersecting roads would create physical and visual barriers between the surrounding neighborhoods and divide them into four areas totaling 580.000 m2. BIG’s proposal, the Energy Valley, re-connects these in an un-hierarchical and democratic way through a continuous circular bike and pedestrian loop aligned with public buildings and functions, including a shopping- and sports centre, a hammam and a mosque which will attract visitors from Stockholm and its suburbs.

By introducing natural environments of differing characters within the loop, an Energy Valley in the center turns into a pie shaped park of pine-and oak forests, wetlands, grass lawns and hilly terrain which create a diverse experience when moving in or around the landscape. The surrounding neighborhoods have room to grow, thus expanding infrastructure and developments up to the ridge of the new valley.

“The Energy Valley is a cross-over between urbanism, landscape, architecture, art and infrastructure into a new neighborhood of Stockholm. Harnessing the momentum of the massive investment in tunnels and highways and putting the excess excavation to use as a man-made valley, we create an interdisciplinary hybrid of logistic, economic, environmental and social infrastructure.” Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Partner, BIG.

The site has a great potential in serving as a new entryway into Stockholm. This point is turned into a reflective, self-sustaining hovering sphere mirroring Stockholm as it is, new and old, creating a 180 degree view of the area for the drivers on their way in or out of the city.

30% of the sphere’s surface is covered with Photovoltaic film that faces the sun and produces enough energy to keep it floating while supplying 235 houses in the neighborhood with electricity.

The Stockholm Sphere is an ever changing icon that marks an entry point to the city and reflects the passing seasons and the evolving urban life beneath it.

“Traditionally highways split adjacent areas into disconnected neighborhoods – a good side and a bad side. Our biggest challenge was how to create the maximum benefit by connecting the four parts cut by the intersecting highways. The intersection is thus tamed by the connecting link that circumscribes it.” Jakob Lange, Partner-in-Charge, Stockholmsporten, BIG.

STOCKHOLMSPORTEN INFORMATION

Name Stockholmsporten
Program Master plan, Landscape
Type Prequalified Competition
Size 580.000 m2
Client City of Stockholm, Swedish Transport Administration
Collaborators Grontmij, Spacescape
Location Stockholm, Sweden
Status 1st prize / In progress

BIG
Partner in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Jakob Lange
Project Leader: Hanna Johansson
Team: Camille Crepin, Barbora Srpkova, Alessio Valmori, Xiao Xuan Lu, Krista Meskanen, Long Zuo

Grontmij AB
Veronika Borg, Albin Ahlquist, Anders Falk , Mats Mauritzson, Nils-Göran Nilsson, Christer Johansson, Bengt Ridell

Spacescape AB
Alexander Ståhle, Tobias Nordström

See also:

.

PUU-BO by BIG	National Gallery of Greenland by BIG	West 57th by BIG

Swedish interior designers Guise have inserted these tall black free-standing cabinets throughout a Stockholm apartment.

Top photograph is by Jesper Lindström

Called Corner project, the cabinets provide storage space and divide the apartment, which has no interior walls.

Above photograph is by Rasmus Norlander

The units come in three different sizes and are all of the same height.

All functions are housed within the pillars, including the kitchen sink.

Photographs are by Mathias Nero unless otherwise stated.

More interiors on Dezeen »

Above photograph is by Jesper Lindström

More apartments on Dezeen »

Above photograph is by Jesper Lindström

More furniture on Dezeen »

Here’s some more information from Guise:

PROJECT BRIEF
The assignment was to redesign an apartment of 45 m² from 1900 on Jungfrugatan in an exclusive area in central Stockholm.

Above photograph is by Jesper Lindström

The client’s request was to create storage space as well as giving the apartment a unique identity.

CONCEPT
The main concept is based on breaking up the traditional sequence of rooms and functions to become a nonlinear and nonhierarchical arrangement of space.

The previously strict spatial segregation, with kitchen, living room and bedrooms have been broken up by introducing a forest of columns that define the rooms.

Since the apartment has no walls in the traditional sense, the spatiality is created by the pillars relationship to each other rather than by clear physical boundaries.

PLANNING
The apartment is inscribed in a square of around 45 square meters. The entrance door is located in one corner of the plan, facing one of the apartment’s two windows.

Above photograph is by Jesper Lindström

The previous plan had a wall that strict shared the apartment in the kitchen and living area. A small alcove was positioned close to the bedroom.

All the existing walls were torn down and replaced with a forest of columns that separates the rooms from each other.

Above photograph is by Rasmus Norlander

Even the bathroom walls have been torn down, the toilet is housed in one of the columns, providing necessary privacy.

Above photograph is by Rasmus Norlander

Also the WC-pillar is freely positioned and is thereby able to be, like all other columns, walk around.

Above photograph is by Rasmus Norlander

All the functions associated to the apartment is housed inside the pillars.

Above photograph is by Rasmus Norlander

The positions and size of the pillars derives from functional aspects. All volumes are specially produced for this project goes from floor to ceiling.

The sizes of the pillars vary from 400×400, 600×600 to 800x800mm. The height is 3050mm for all pillars except the bathroom module.

See also:

.

Home 07 by i29	Apartment in Paris by Pascal Grasso Architectures	Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair by Guise

Candles take new shape in a fantastical glass series from a budding Swedish designer

Creator of the incredible teapot Wood You Like A Cup Of Tea?, Jakob Solgren’s newest design keeps to his playful wit while taking on new form in a commission for Swedish glass manufacturer Kosta Boda. The “Hills” candlestick holders symbolize to Solgren an escapism inspired by cartoons and real life, saying “To me, Hills is the place where the rainbow never disappears.”

To the viewer the design is almost edible, a perfect example of color informing shape. The candlestick holder is blown in graft forms before having its surface sand-blasted, which takes the piece away from the sharpness and shine normally associated with glass. The softness is further enhanced through a bubblegum color palette of pink, green yellow and blue, which are sprayed inside the piece.

A young and cerebral designer, Solgren has a gentle and persuasive touch to his work which is very appealing on all levels. “Hills” candlestick holders will sell from Kosta Boda spring 2011 for 899 SEK each.

Here are some photographs of the completed Tree Hotel by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, a mirrored glass box suspended round the trunk of a tree in Harads, northern Sweden.

The 4x4x4 metre cube is accessed by rope bridge and reflects the surrounding forest and sky.

The plywood interior is designed to accommodate two people, containing a double bed, bathroom, living room and roof terrace.

The hotel was opened to the public in July 2010.

More about the Tree Hotel in our earlier story.

More about Tham & Videgård Arkitekter on Dezeen »

Photographs are by Åke E:son Lindman

The information that follows is from Tham & Videgård Arkitekter:

Tree hotel in Harads (2008-2010)

A tree hotel in the far north of Sweden, near the small village of Harads, close to the polar circle.
 
A shelter up in the trees; a lightweight aluminium structure hung around a tree trunk, a 4x4x4 meters box clad in mirrored glass.

The exterior reflects the surroundings and the sky, creating a camouflaged refuge.

The interior is all made of plywood and the windows give a 360 degree view of the surroundings.

The construction also alludes to how man relates to nature, how we use high tech materials and products when exploring remote places in harsh climates (Gore-tex, Kevlar, composite materials, light weight tents etc).

The functions included provides for a living for two people; a double bed, a small bath room, a living room and a roof terrace.

Access to the cabin is by a rope bridge connected to the next tree.

To prevent birds colliding with the reflective glass, a transparent ultraviolet colour is laminated into the glass panes which are visible for birds only.

The tree hotel in Harads focuses on wild life-/eco tourism where one encounters and experiences the pristine nature of Sweden.

Architects: Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, www.tvark.se
Chief architects: Martin Videgård and Bolle Tham.
Staff: Andreas Helgesson, Julia Gudiel Urbano, Mia Nygren.

Client: Brittas Pensionat, Britta Lindvall and Kent Lindvall,

See also:

.

More about this project	More about Tham & Videgard Arkitekter	Dezeen’s top ten: hotels

A new line of customizable Swedish furniture designed to last

If there’s any upside to the financial crisis, it’s the enduring emphasis on craft and artisanal production in the design industry. The “new austerity” has buyers looking to quality—of narrative in the design process, options and manufacture—as a selling point.

As companies continue to lure buyers with the added value of well-made products, there’s no better example of the way forward than Stockholm company Zweed. Founded this year by Håkan Johansson, Zweed’s ethos is simple: “To produce pieces of quality furniture locally with client’s inspiration and ideas taking a central part of the design process.” The designer stresses that the handcraft of each piece has to be of the highest possible quality—the idea being to create contemporary future classics which will grow with the user. In fact, he’s worked hard with his locally-based cabinet makers to ensure than every piece can withstand a good kicking, essential to the longevity of a product in this day and age, while reducing waste and protecting resources in the long term. Further good news for the environment is that Zweed produces each piece locally, meaning transportation’s footprint is kept low.

As for the pieces themselves and how they fit into this new customer-focused method of design, Zweed’s outlook is very progressive. Take Moodi for example, a piece based on the classic ’50s sideboard. “Those seen in Scandinavia show just how this design has weathered the test of time and changes in tastes and, over half a century later, remains as relevant as ever,” notes Johansson. The Zweed twist gives the piece reversible sliding doors, which can be colored or finished using NCS Colours or natural woods, varnishes and oils. So, not only do you get to fit the colors to match your space but you can change them about as you see fit. If you get bored of the combinations, just give Zweed a ring and order more. The idea is both simple and individual, with more of an active story then something picked off the shelf.

Zweed’s second product, Citti, is another piece which can be tailored to each client. Johansson explains that most coming to Zweed do so because they can’t find a design solution to fit their tastes and needs without having to compromise in size, shape or color. Citti is a storage system based on a simple modular format; “You choose the size, depth, number of modules, color or finish and decide if you need doors or internal compartments,” says Johansson. The beauty in the piece lies in the fact that by restraining the modular format, in terms of size of its constitute components, it can still be constructed by Zweed’s traditional cabinet makers, but keeps the costs of these bespoke pieces low. Again, as the colors are based on the NCS Colour System, the client has literally limitless options.

Håkan’s studio is open to all visitors while overseas orders are happily taken, it’s simply a case of working out a budget, toying with colors and color combinations and then receiving a piece of pure quality that is personal to you and nobody else.
What can be better to restore your faith in the act of consuming than an investment portfolio of good, well-made design?