Mattias Hedberg Ek of FOJAB arkitekter wins Lund Municipality's urban development award.

Mattias Hedberg Ek, architect SAR/MSA and head of assignment at FOJAB arkitekter, has been awarded the Lund Municipality Urban Design Prize 2015 for the design of Helsingkrona nation's new student housing building Tornet. Mattias Hedberg Ek received the award at the City Council meeting on December 17, 2015.

- I am very happy and grateful to have received the urban development award. Working together with Helsingkrona nation has been very stimulating from start to finish. Together we have created a completely unique student residence with a limited budget, says Mattias Hedberg Ek, and continues:

- The project is the result of a team effort, but a special thought goes to my colleague Ulf Kadefors, who was involved in the early stages of the project but unfortunately did not see it through to completion with his death in 2012.

According to the jury's motivation, the prize has been awarded to Mattias Hedberg Ek for:

"The building is of very high architectural quality both as a whole and in its carefully designed details. The towering design fits naturally into the unique environment of the campus. Folded metal facades in several shades provide an interesting play of shadows and the building is a model of successful urban densification. The architect has taken on the challenge of developing the student housing concept in a professional and sensitive manner with an end result that appeals to both residents and viewers.

The architect is also awarded for his active and committed contribution to the important conversation about the value of good architecture and well-designed living environments through other projects in the city."

Tornet offers an attractive accommodation of 69 apartments for so-called buddy living where two students share each apartment. The layout of the building is designed with a stairwell in the center and six pie-shaped apartments located around it. With its 13 floors and 100 meters above sea level, the Tower has become a new landmark in Lund.

The building, built by Peab, was ready for occupation in August this year. All apartments are currently rented out to students.

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