Kv. Vélo - a sustainable neighborhood in a historic shipyard environment

Kv. Vélo has a prominent location in Dockan, Malmö. A place where the traces of the shipbuilding industry meet an emerging urban neighborhood. Here, FOJAB has designed a residential neighborhood with a strong focus on the urban context, sustainability, accessibility and increased bicycle use.

The project has a clear sustainability focus, reflected in a timeless architecture with durable materials and well-crafted details. The old shipyard area is characterized by materials such as brick, concrete, steel and glass, which are taken up in the new block. The facades in red brick and relief masonry tie in with the industrial architecture and provide a shifting play of shadows. Towards the park and courtyard, the facades are instead bricked with light-colored bricks that enhance the experience of light.

Another important part of the sustainability aspect has been low energy consumption and the possibility of more car-free living. The building has been certified according to the Nordic Ecolabel, which guarantees that the work is based on a green philosophy with a focus on ethics, quality and sustainability. Opportunities for sustainable travel have also been an important prerequisite. With generous and easily accessible bright bicycle rooms on the ground floor, it is easy to park as the spaces are accessible from both the courtyard and the street. The residents also have access to electric cars, box bikes powered by renewable electricity and a car pool.

The block contains 144 well-planned apartments of various sizes, oriented around four stairwells. All apartments have balconies or patios. The recessed terrace floors at the top create space for large patios in several directions, which also provides space for e.g. cultivation. The entrance level brings together common functions for the residents, such as continuous entrances and glazed bicycle rooms that create visual contact with the lush courtyard. The courtyard is framed by three terraced houses on two levels, with their own patios facing the courtyard and the park.

- "Our starting point for the design of the block is the industrial character, the urban context and the activation of the entrance level, which adds quality and life to the local environment. Sustainability aspects have been influential throughout the project," says Emma Carlbom, project manager at FOJAB.