A building's carbon footprint is largely determined by its shape and frame. FOJAB has therefore developed the Leaf Cutter Ant tool for CO2 calculations in early design stages. But an industry standard is needed, says Simon Kallioinen, architect and lab director at FOJAB.

In collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Tyréns and Warm in the Winter, FOJAB has developed Leaf Cutter Ant, a tool that shows the connections between a building's geometry, frame solution and climate footprint. The tool provides construction and real estate industry actors with knowledge to evaluate different solutions to make wise climate decisions in early stages, such as detailed plans, feasibility studies and volume sketches.

Real-time feedback
Leaf Cutter Ant is linked to the Building Sector's Environmental Calculation Tool (BM) with generic climate data for different building elements. Leaf Cutter Ant provides real-time feedback on the building's climate impact based on volume and materials, allowing the architect to quickly and easily compare the climate footprint of different building options.

To further simplify the work process, there are pre-set templates with combinations of different components. Leaf Cutter Ant also gives indications of price and makes a rough dimensioning to obtain credible quantities. And so that you don't lose sight of the climate emissions in the construction phase, an energy key figure is presented with an indication of the energy performance of the chosen solution.

- This function is important for understanding the total climate footprint. A good LCA value in the construction phase can result in a lower energy value and thus higher CO2 emissions in the operation phase. It is important not to put off the problems," says Simon Kallioinen.

Difficult to compare
Leaf Cutter Ant will be freely available to anyone with a license to the Construction Sector Environmental Assessment Tool. However, there are several different tools on the market for designing and continuously evaluating climate impact. And although it is good that many people are working simultaneously to reduce the climate footprint of the construction industry, there is a problem that the calculations are not comparable, says Simon Kallioinen.

- Different LCA calculation tools are based on different databases - which can give completely different results. They also count different things to some extent: some include internal walls, for example, while others do not. It works well to compare different solutions within a project. But comparing projects that have been LCA calculated with different tools is not as easy. A tool-independent standardization would be needed," he says.

Accounting is required
The need for both calculations and comparisons will increase. Today, climate declarations must be submitted for all new projects before the municipality gives final approval, and by 2027 the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning will present its limit values. The EU taxonomy, a regulatory framework that forces new investments to stay within the Paris Agreement's target of a maximum of 1.5 degrees of warming, will also increase interest in climate calculations at an early stage, when the most crucial decisions are made that affect the climate budget.

- Already, some competitions and land allocations require a schematic representation of CO2 emissions, and this is likely to become more common. It is important that the results are comparable even if you work with different tools," says Simon.

Common methodology
Discussions are ongoing between the major architectural firms to try to agree on a common methodology. The LFM30 climate network, which brings together the building and construction industry in Malmö, has also invited people to a meeting on climate calculations in the hope of possible cooperation.

- If enough of us can agree on a methodology, it can hopefully become an industry standard. Everyone would benefit from that," says Simon Kallioinen.

Find out more about our climate calculation tool for early stages here. Leaf Cutter Ant. 

Maglehill is now taking shape, Höör's largest development area, which will also be a new entrance to the town. FOJAB has designed the neighborhood and designed the new school, preschool, a sports hall and special housing.

Maglehill is located one kilometer from the train station in Höör and an important focus in the development of the new district has been to use the land efficiently. The urban structure is dense with greenery as a supporting element. The housing will serve all stages of life, with villas and terraced houses as well as apartment buildings and various types of retirement homes.

The district is formed around a rounded main street where the area's social functions are gathered: school, preschool, special housing and sports hall. The facades form a welcoming advertisement and background on the way into Höör. All the main entrances face the main street and at a number of larger and smaller places, which run like a string of pearls along the street, you can safely pick up and drop off children and students. On the other side, the houses face a large, undulating, south-facing courtyard. The garden for the special housing, the preschool's outdoor courtyard and the school's schoolyard are placed with beautiful views of the cultural landscape.

Maglehill is being built in two stages by the contractor MVB on behalf of Höörs Fastighets AB. The first phase, which has now begun, includes the special accommodation with 56 apartments and 60 beds. Estimated occupancy is during 2023 and 2024. FOJAB has designed the accommodation until the building permit phase.

The second phase includes the F-6 school for 600 pupils, the pre-school for eight departments and an outdoor department, and the sports hall, which will also be used for club activities. All are designed by FOJAB. Occupancy for phase two is expected to start in August 2024.

- "The school is robustly designed with sustainable and durable solutions where we have streamlined the space without compromising on operational needs and suitability," says Charlotte Kristensson, the responsible architect.

The school is structured around homerooms rather than corridors, which creates security and is an important educational quality. The whole school is also designed to be shoeless, so that children can take off their shoes at the entrance. This provides a pleasant indoor environment, which in turn can have positive learning effects.

How to make an interior last over time? Reuse can add character and identity to an interior, making it appreciated and worth keeping for a long time. We discuss success factors and pitfalls with two of FOJAB's experts on reuse in interior design.

The interior design industry has long been accused of encouraging a throw-away mentality. But recently, something has changed.

- Most people think it's healthy to make use of what's available - as long as it's not too complicated. This is where we can help," says Lisa Mannheimer, interior designer at FOJAB.

What is the difference between working with reuse and new production?

- We spend more time inventorying, finding and assessing furniture. The process as a whole does not need to take longer because we avoid long delivery times. For the customer, it's not necessarily cheaper, as you might think. It is rather that the costs move from purchasing to working time for the architects. A working time that many of our customers from a sustainability perspective often think is worth paying for," says Lisa.

- Although there is a wide range of second-hand furniture available, there is slightly more freedom in working with new production. But the constraints can make the work process more interesting and the quality or aesthetics don't have to be worse, says Robin Larsson, an architect at FOJAB who has worked extensively with reuse in interior design.

The key to success is an interior concept that is strong enough, but at the same time flexible, so that the choice on the reuse market is not too limited.

- With an interior designer's trained eye and sense of quality and design, we can scan the market and assess what fits the budget and concept of a specific project. What is worth saving and what can be refined - and above all, what fits together. We can create an interior that feels cohesive even if the components are taken from different places, eras and contexts," says Lisa.

The rental market for furniture is growing, which is positive from a sharing point of view. At the same time, we have historically tended to show more care for things we own, less for what we rent. So how do you avoid the wear and tear of an interior?

- Regardless of ownership, we need to take care of our furniture and understand that nothing should be thrown away from now on. Don't jump on the sofa, don't rock the chair - you're doing the climate a favor. Working with sentimental value, design and strong furniture increases the chances of the interior lasting over time," says Robin and continues:

- For me, a sustainable interior is not just recycled, but so conceptual and stylish that it also stands the test of time. I love environments that feel like time has stood still - without feeling dated. Repurposing can add a unique character and a strong identity, which in turn can make environments even more appreciated.

- Of course, it can be a challenge if the customer is sitting with boring furniture from before and is looking for something new and fresh. A customer who pays for a change often wants to see a clear difference. The simple solution has long been to propose a major overhaul, but both we and customers may be thinking a little differently today. We must be able to offer an environment that is at least as good as buying new. But it will probably take some time before the resistance to second-hand is completely gone," says Lisa.

One way to make office furnishings last longer, for example, is to work long-term with a good base in the interior material choices that suit many different tenants. That way, not everything has to be replaced when a new company moves in.

- That's why we often design with flexibility and demountability in mind - and let the client's identity be reflected in the loose furniture instead. As architects ourselves, we can be a bit locked into what is nice and ugly. This is something we need to work on as an industry. The most important sustainability approach in the work with interiors is to avoid wear and tear and ensure that the disposal is done in a responsible way," says Robin.

Is there a difference between working for public and private clients?

- It is absolutely possible to create beautiful and coherent environments with reused furniture even in public procurement, it's all about knowing how to put together the tender documents. We help with that! The most important thing for a good result is that the customer is interested, that they want to move in the same direction. This applies to both the public and private sectors," says Lisa.

But she actually thinks that the law on public procurement is not compatible with circular ambitions. "Reuse is based on seizing opportunities as they arise, and this can be difficult to reconcile with such a controlled process as LOU. Public purchasers may also find it more difficult to make decisions as quickly as the purchase of used furniture requires.

What is the key issue for reuse?

- The issue of how to deal with bad furniture is far from resolved, but at least it has been put on the table. Awareness has increased," says Lisa.

- "I agree and call for a national approach to recycling," says Robin. 'The whole chain needs to be reviewed. If we are to stop throwing away, we need a better structure for recycling for both individuals and businesses, and I encourage and cheer on all those who run reuse-related businesses - especially those who refine, upcycle and give end-of-life products a longer life.

The palliative care ward at Lasarettet in Motala will be rebuilt to best meet the needs of the organization, patients and relatives. FOJAB is behind the design.

The reconstruction of Motala Lasarett's palliative care department is one of several assignments that FOJAB has for Region Östergötland within the framework agreement. In February, the construction document design starts.

This is a major reconstruction and modernization of the ward. The major difference for patients will be that the multi-patient rooms will be converted into single-patient rooms.

- Palliative care is special because the patient does not recover. We work a lot on making the rooms comfortable and cozy with the help of lighting, colors, views and art," says Johanna Raflund Tobisson, responsible architect at FOJAB.

- At the same time, we must always think in a longer perspective when renovating, building and extending, so that the solutions are general and other activities can move in after only minor adjustments. As architects, we have an important role to play here, to create spaces with a high degree of generality and flexibility without them becoming bare, boring and technology-heavy. It requires knowledge and finesse.

The needs of relatives are also given greater attention in Motala's new palliative care unit. Overnight accommodation for relatives is an important part of the care given to patients at the end of their lives.

- By creating this area in the single patient rooms, loved ones can be present and make the last time worthwhile. 'We also create small seating niches in the corridor where relatives can withdraw and leave the patient for a short time but still be close by,' says Johanna Raflund Tobisson.

FOJAB has developed the new floor plan in close dialogue with the business, so that the premises are maximally effective and can support the care in the best possible way. The rebuilt ward is expected to be opened in 2024.

Children have the right to have a say and be listened to in all matters that concern them, not least their own living environment. We listened to students in Mörrum to better understand how they feel about their new school.

At FOJAB, we have good experience of working from a child perspective. We work a lot with user dialogue to meet the needs of children in schools and other knowledge environments, but we have felt a desire to supplement the toolbox with methods for how we can work better with the child's perspective. We wanted to let the children themselves talk about their experiences and participate in shaping the world around them.

The Architecture Wise Kids lab project gave us the opportunity to explore this further. FOJABlab is our platform for experimental development work, where we test ideas and find ways to take knowledge further.

In the autumn of 2022 Mörrum school. Part way through the semester, we met with the students to hear how they feel about the new environment. We wanted to get their views on what works and doesn't work, if they have suggestions for improvements, how they experience and use different parts of their school. For two days, we met students from grades 1, 3 and 6. We did various exercises and talked about everything from form and function, light and acoustics to choice of materials, experience and feeling. We experienced great commitment to the task, pride in the new school and a willingness to share their experiences. We were so impressed by these architecturally wise children, who so insightfully analyze their physical environment!

The direct feedback from the children will help us to ensure what we have done right, but also to understand what we can do better. Another goal was to increase children's interest in architecture and create positive feelings about how to use their influence.

Are you curious about what children thought of their school? See the the movie here!

Want to know more about our methods for working with children's perspectives? Feel free to contact our architecture educator Kristina Kember.

FOJAB's redesign of the Theater Park in Landskrona receives an honorable mention when the city awards its urban design prize. The ambition has been to create a safer, more attractive and more vibrant park with a clear focus on climate action.

Teaterparken is a centrally located park in Landskrona with a classic design language and historical roots from the time when the site was part of the defense facility around the castle. Despite renovations over the years, the park has been relatively unused, with the exception of a large playground.

Landskrona is expected to grow to the south and in the city's investment in the city center, a rethink and a refurbishment of the park has been prioritized. With FOJAB's proposal document as a starting point, the park has been given a clearer structure with rooms for various activities.

Around the theater building, there is now an open space for activities and events with classic landscaping. Previous rainfall problems are addressed by a large open grass area that can retain water during heavy rainfall. The lawn is framed by granite benches facing the sun.

An already green part of the park has been enhanced with trees moved from elsewhere in the park, and with a rich herbaceous layer that contributes to pollination and biodiversity in the surrounding area. Wooden walkways allow visitors to experience the environment from within and exciting play equipment links this part of the park to the existing playground.

- Landskrona is a city to love and with investments and renovations of places like Teaterparken, even more pride and commitment is created in the city, says Malin Ingemarsdotter Jönsson, responsible landscape architect at FOJAB.

Two mobility houses, designed by FOJAB for Hub Park, will be built in Ulleråker in Uppsala municipality. The mobility houses will play an important role in minimizing car traffic in the residential area and facilitating sustainable transport for the residents.

Ulleråker is Uppsala's next major urban development project. Construction has just started and will be completed in 2035. In the meantime, the plan is to create 6 000 new homes and a sustainable district where the majority of travel will be by sustainable transport.

The first phase is called Centrala Ulleråker and two mobility houses are planned. These will accommodate all car parking for the residents of the phase, as well as for visitors. There will also be an electric car pool and the opportunity to rent a box bike, scooter, electric scooter or other sustainable means of transport.

- We have a goal for the urban development project in Central Ulleråker that 80 percent of all trips should be made by sustainable means of transport. This requires smart solutions like these mobility houses that make it easy for both residents and visitors to make climate-smart choices in their travel," says Erik Pelling (S), Chairman of the Municipal Executive Board.

The overall solution for the two mobility houses involves an integrated approach to buildings, vehicles, services and people with long-term climate-smart construction, collaboration with various stakeholders on attractive mobility offers, digital aids and behavioral change initiatives.

- The great value, as we see it, is that we do this together with our partners and in dialog with the municipality, other property owners and future users. Then the mobility houses become part of the solution to the area's need for parking, easier everyday life, coordinated logistics and movement," says Annika Fernlund, mobility strategist at Hub Park.

The mobility houses will be flexible and climate-smart buildings that respond to the area's changing mobility needs over time. The northern building will have around 120 apartments on three sides that contribute to life, movement and security. The ground floor premises provide local services, community spaces or services related to mobility. The southern building will have 35 apartments and large areas for center activities and activities.

- We have designed the two blocks to achieve the lowest possible climate impact with long-term sustainability in mind. The northern block is built entirely in wood, a material that can be easily transformed and binds carbon dioxide. The southern block has a built-in flexibility in the structure, so that it can easily be converted to, for example, housing when the need for car parking decreases," says Anders Eriksson Modin, responsible architect at FOJAB.

We have a future and a generation ahead of us that will not accept throwing away and replacing. So says Lisa Mannheimer, architect and head of the Interior Design competence area at FOJAB.

What is a good interior design for you?
- A good interior design should contain something for the eye, the hand and the soul. Well-designed interior environments play an important role in the development of businesses and brands. In today's complex construction and change processes, the soft values are often forgotten. The result is often generic and impersonal. The human scale, the tactile and the caring are missing.

- Investing in quality and eco-labeling in furniture and materials always pays off when you think more long-term. My experience is also that a well thought-out, long-term designed interior environment also provides a good economy, which is often forgotten when looking for short-term savings. We have a future and a generation ahead of us that will not accept throwing away and replacing. When we can create an environment that can withstand the wear and tear of the eye and hand over a long period of time - that's sustainable interior design.

- The coronavirus pandemic and social distancing, when many of us spent a lot of time at home, reminded me of the importance of the sensual and sustainable. What qualities do we want? Is it the comfortable wooden chair or the beautiful views? As interior designers, we must always look at the big picture when planning our interior environments. The pandemic has brought about a change and shift in values and made it even more important to create beautiful and functional everyday environments. Caring spaces for the body and mind where light, materials and proportions are in balance.

Can interior design make the world a better place?
- Yes, absolutely. Our most important starting point in all design is human needs and experiences. We analyze, structure and create beautiful, functional and sustainable environments that also show attention to detail. Rooms where people want to be, thrive and feel good. We always work in close dialog with the client and look at the special needs of each assignment. Each client is unique and our mission is to highlight the values that enhance their business. We aim to work with long-term solutions and sustainable materials.

What is the most important part of your job as an interior designer?
- We see our main task as asking questions, listening, watching and being curious. We look at the big picture. This means looking at projects from many angles, but always with a focus on the people who will use the environments.

Johanna Raflund Tobisson is responsible for the Healthcare competence area at FOJAB and leads the work to develop the healthcare environments of the future. During her years as an architect, Johanna has worked with all types of healthcare premises, but is particularly passionate about the working environments of healthcare staff.

Why are healthcare workers' working environments so important?

 - Today, we architects work according to the concept of good care, known as person-centered care. This supports an approach where the patient comes first and is seen as a person with unique needs. The patient should feel involved and safe in the care situation. And for the patient to receive good care, the staff also need a good working environment where architecturally beautiful, appropriate and functional environments are a matter of course.

- The coronavirus pandemic made it particularly clear how important it is that staff are given every possible opportunity to provide good care. The opportunities to retain important skills increase, but also to recruit the best employees. By spending time in beautiful and well thought-out environments, a sense of pride in the workplace grows and a "we" feeling is created.

- Many of the components that we architects are trying to implement to make staff environments better are daylight, greenery, opportunities for meetings and knowledge transfer, but above all we want to create a welcoming atmosphere where staff feel prioritized! These components will be incredibly important in designing the sustainable care environments of the future.

Do you have any thoughts on the future of healthcare?

- Future patients will increasingly demand faster and more accessible care. Digitalization plays a major role here, and as architects we must consider how healthcare premises can support the needs of the future. Increased demands for accessibility mean that healthcare will increasingly be located where people move, for example in shopping centers and city centers.

- The elderly population is growing and more people will live with chronic and debilitating diseases. This means that home care will be an important issue in the future, not only for municipalities, county councils and politicians, but also for us architects. How can we best create housing that supports a greater need for care due to a gradual deterioration of health through aging and multiple diseases? The longer a patient can be cared for at home, the less the burden on the healthcare system.

- Designing healthcare premises flexibly is a must, as activities increase or decrease in scope or often need to move around. However, I believe that there is a limit to how flexible and general the design of healthcare premises should be, as it generates large additional costs, which the healthcare sector in turn has to pay for through high rents. Technology-intensive care, such as surgical wards and sterile technology units, have such specific requirements and needs that it is difficult to accommodate a ward or reception in the same premises. The room dimensions, heights and technology are simply not suitable for the new activity.

Ylva Åborg, an architect and office manager at FOJAB in Stockholm, is elected to the Board of Architects Sweden.
- As a board member, I want to ensure that sustainability issues permeate all activities. The circular economy requires a major shift in the architectural profession.

Architects Sweden is a professional and trade organization for all architects in Sweden who work with interior design, buildings, landscape or planning. With nearly 14,000 members, Architects Sweden organizes about 90 percent of the total architectural profession. At the AGM on November 20, a new board was elected.

As a member, Ylva Åborg wants to work towards making the circular economy the clear objective of the union.

- Our industry is facing a paradigm shift that requires huge changes for us as architects, in our role and practice. In such times, it is important to work together as a body, so that we can jointly take the lead in the development of a circular economy.

- We have had a hundred years of focusing on new production, but now we must switch to preserving and refining the current stock. Here, Architects Sweden has an opportunity to pave the way. It is about how we use our common resources, how we work towards politics and how we are seen as a union in the public debate and in the industry context. The sustainability glasses must always be on.

- The economic situation also creates tough challenges that we must face together. The radically deteriorating conditions for the construction industry as a whole also make demands on our union's ability to adapt, but above all, the role of the Swedish Architects as a trade union is particularly important.

Ylva Åborg leads and develops the work at FOJAB's Stockholm office. The office has grown steadily since its inception in 2013, and since Ylva took over as manager less than a year ago, it has gained market share in the Stockholm region in sectors such as knowledge environments, community properties and sports & health. The focus on sustainability is constantly present at FOJAB, with the development of new tools and new methodology, for example in sustainable urban development and life cycle analysis in early stages.

- Within FOJAB there is a joy of innovation in terms of sustainability and digitalization that I want to share. To move architecture forward, we need to work together.

Facts: Swedish Architects' new board
Emina Kovacic, Chair, Björn Ekelund, 1st Vice Chair, Anna Leonsson, 2nd Vice Chair, and Members Per Bornstein, Patrik Faming, Maja Olsson, Anna Krook, My Lekberg, Valter Fredström, Mårten Claesson and Ylva Åborg. The new board will take office on January 1, 2023 for a two-year term.

A mobility house is being built in Malmö with a facade of discarded glass, leftover heat exchanger plates and skeletons. But what it will look like is unclear even at the groundbreaking. "Working with waste puts both the role of the architect and the building permit process in a new light," says Petra Jenning, architect and innovation manager at FOJAB.

The facade of the Hyllieäng mobility building that FOJAB is designing for Parkering Malmö consists of materials that would otherwise have been discarded. Glass removed from the facade of the Orkanen university building will be used, as well as plates from heat exchangers and steel skeletons from the manufacturing industry, i.e. the leftovers from punching shapes out of sheet metal.

The choice of these materials was the result of both coincidence and diligent searching. Looking for possible - existing - facade materials for an area of about 2,400 square meters was a new experience.

- 'Building entirely on what already exists is a completely new way of working,' says Petra Jenning. 'We contacted demolition projects in the region and various actors who handle waste and residual products from different industries. Stena Recycling was very helpful; they investigated which materials they receive in large quantities and which could be of interest to us. We went through their depot and literally stood and rummaged in their containers.

New requirements for the architect
The challenges of designing with waste are first and foremost about knowing which materials are available in the quantities needed, at the time needed. You have to be able to see the potential, understand the characteristics and qualities of the material.

- "We architects have to work with a greater degree of uncertainty," says Petra. "Normally, we choose materials that are ordered and manufactured according to our specifications. Here we are at the mercy of what is available. This places completely new demands on us in the design process.

It is also about understanding the opportunities and constraints at the production stage.

- In this project, we work with materials from industries other than construction, which creates new relationships and ways of working. What the companies previously saw as waste, we take care of as a resource. Success requires close cooperation, a lot of dialog and flexibility from everyone involved.

Final outcome unclear
And exactly what the end result will be, what the facade will look like, is not even known when construction starts.

- The glass from the Hurricane may break when we put it up. We only have a certain amount of tiles and cannot order more. The uncertainty regarding the cutting skeleton is about its appearance. Orders are relatively small and production is fast, so it is difficult to say in advance what the game will look like.

Challenging the building permit process
Despite the uncertainties, the project has received a building permit. For it to be granted, the availability of recycled materials must be managed by the developer, i.e. secured for the completion of the project.

- The city planning office has evaluated a mock-up presented by the applicant, regarding glass and other recycled façade materials. It gives an idea of the character of the building, even if some minor details such as the pattern of the cutting plate are not entirely clear, says Stefana Nyberg, building permit officer at the City of Malmö.

However, Petra Jenning believes that a more flexible building permit process and a more frequent dialog would be better for this kind of work process. This in turn would benefit the circular economy.

- Instead of a single decision - yes or no - quite late in the process, it might be better to have an early, more general policy decision followed by ongoing decisions on the details.

Legislation not adapted
Stefana Nyberg of the City of Malmö also believes that the current building permit process has its limitations.

- The legislation has not taken into account the problems that arise when using recycled materials. We are required by the government to make a decision within ten weeks, with the possibility of a further ten-week extension. Ten weeks are counted from the time the case is complete," she says:

- But the legislation can be changed and adapted, especially as there is a national ambition to work more on reuse and circular economy.

Some way to go
And even if laws and regulations change, there is still a long way to go to make construction fully circular, says Petra Jenning:

- Better information on available materials is needed. In the construction industry, a kind of equivalent of the Accessible Materials Block is being developed, but to achieve the climate commitments we need to use materials from other industries as well. This is of course much more difficult - although it also opens up more opportunities.

A turnkey contract has now been signed for new premises for Vänersborg District Court, designed by FOJAB. The design of the new court building will start immediately and construction is expected to start in the fall of 2023. Planned completion is the summer of 2026.

Vänersborg's new district court is strategically located near the railway station and will strengthen the transition between the park with its older institutional buildings and the old stone town. The design language is basically simple with a few character-creating features. The green ceramic of the façade gives the building a clear identity that relates to the city's many copper roofs and the greenery of the adjacent park.

- The ceramic panels are slightly curved, which creates effective shadows on the facade - a bit like the ripples of water on Lake Vänern. "A solution that combines beauty with sustainability and efficient construction," says Kjell Adamsson, responsible architect at FOJAB.

The court building houses around 130 workstations, 11 courtrooms, including two security rooms, security control and reception, public areas, staff offices, and transport and detention rooms. Designing a court building is an intricate puzzle. People in the building - the public, prosecutors and judges, court staff and detainees - are classified into four different security levels. Their paths must not cross on their way in and out of the courtrooms. Vänersborg District Court will have separate entrances to all courtrooms and separate flows throughout the building, with separate evacuation routes.

- "FOJAB has great expertise when it comes to court buildings. This means that we can offer Vänersborg an extremely functional district court with high architectural quality," says Hanna Tengberg, project developer at Hemsö.

The building is prepared for possible future expansion in such a way that safety zones and flows are ensured.

- Courts are installation-heavy operations and we have built in flexibility that enables continuous development and updating. Future-proofing the building is also an important sustainability aspect," says architect Kjell Adamsson.

An expressive residential neighborhood, a green nursing home and a social mobility house. Riksbyggen, Odalen Fastigheter and FOJAB won the contract to design a city block on Pottholmen - the new entrance to the World Heritage city of Karlskrona.

Pottholmen is a new neighborhood emerging in Karlskrona. Strategically placed at the entrance, it will be the first encounter with the city. Following a land allocation competition, Riksbyggen, Odalen and FOJAB have now been commissioned by Karlskrona Municipality to develop two of the more central blocks.

The building in the winning proposal is multifaceted in both content and expression and consists of three parts: The Tower District with its housing, restaurants and outdoor seating will be an eye-catcher and an inviting meeting point for both neighborhood community and city life. A new landmark in the city. Garden houses is a nursing home where the sensory experiences and ecological benefits of the green outdoor environment are intertwined. And so The port district, a mobility building that also contributes to public life and the site with attractive spaces for all kinds of activities - and with a public sauna overlooking the city and the sea.

- Our proposal provides a good dynamic in the new district, which the jury appreciated. In terms of design, the buildings are based on Karlskrona's special history and varied urban character, but they end up in a completely unique design language. We have attached great importance to the formation of places, conditions for public life and both quiet and lively meeting places. It's also great that the jury noticed the innovative stormwater management and how we work to integrate solar energy solutions into the buildings," says Anders Eriksson Modin, architect at FOJAB.

- We at Riksbyggen look forward to becoming a present player in Karlskrona and developing the city with our experience and striving for a more sustainable community building. The new homes will offer Karlskrona residents a quality home with sparkling sea views in several directions, but not least to live in a safely managed apartment by our local management organization, says Magnus Laneborg, Market Area Manager Southeast at Riksbyggen.

- We are extremely pleased to see once again how a municipality values our focus on quality. With very high scores for our joint design proposal with project idea and a motivation that highlights the tender's strength in urbanity, design and innovation, we, together with Riksbyggen and FOJAB, are incredibly proud of what we will now create at Pottholmen. The collaboration with both Riksbyggen and FOJAB has been significant for the result of this work process, says Alex Mabäcker, CEO of Odalen Fastigheter.

The block will also be part of the Expo25 housing fair to be held in Karlskrona in 2025.

- It may sound trite to talk about floors and the ability to sit on the floor when it comes to developing school buildings. But the choice to build a shoeless school affects a range of other decisions during the construction process - which can ultimately lead to improved learning opportunities for students.

So says Cage Copher, a knowledge environment architect at FOJAB. He is keen to bring more attention to shoe-free schools - and the consequences of building shoe-free.

Experience with school building development from start to finish has made Cage understand how important the decisions are at the beginning of the process, and which decisions have an exponential effect on the end goal. The decision to be a shoeless school is one of them.

Of course, leaving shoes at the entrance reduces the noise level, but it also has other positive effects that affect the use of classrooms.

- We know, and it is confirmed by research, that we work better, study better, learn more when the room is comfortable. Sound, light, air quality and temperature affect not only adults in offices but also the learning ability of children in schools," says Cage:

- After many years of experience in designing passive houses, I know how important temperature is. It's not just about the air in the rooms - the temperature of the surfaces can actually be more important. A thermal bridge to a beam can create a cold floor. An under-insulated window frame can make a wall chilly. Thermal bridges affect how we use spaces because they affect how comfortable the spaces are. A classroom can become less useful because of cold surfaces.

In a shoeless learning environment, the floor must have a comfortable temperature. This means that thermal bridges need to be removed, and the floor and foundation insulated. A decision to build shoeless environments can thus provide well thought-out details that create a more even indoor climate.

- The choice to use the floor to sit on creates a domino effect that results in a better building. "Of course, I'm not saying that the school has to be shoeless to prevent cold bridges. But it makes it more likely to happen," says Cage.

A shoeless environment is also easier to keep clean. There is less wear and tear. Rooms can be decorated with higher quality materials, with fabric, carpets and wood. Simply put, it can be nicer. With textile carpets, students can sit on the floor, opening up new places to study. The rooms have more possibilities, more safe spaces that give students both more flexibility and a sense of control and ownership - essential factors for children's learning capacity.

- As an architect of knowledge environments, it is important for me to understand the pedagogy that is carried out in the buildings. It's not my role to think about pedagogy, but I want to understand it so that it can be supported by the architecture and interior design.

Should schools be shoeless?

- I can't answer that. I draw both kinds. But I know that if the floor is hard, dirty and cold, we won't sit there. And then we miss out on the best place to sit.

Together with Hemsö, FOJAB is developing a new sports hall in Bromma with a focus on girl-dominated sports.

It will be Sweden's first specially adapted ice rink for figure skating and a gymnastics arena for team gymnastics - all under the same roof. FOJAB has assisted Hemsö in the work on the sports facility in the early stages, plan development, design and collaboration with the sports movement.

- We have worked closely with the Swedish Figure Skating Federation and the Swedish Gymnastics Federation to understand their conditions," says architect Anna Belfrage.

- As well as meeting their sporting requirements and wishes, it is equally important that the building is socially functional. Many of the children and young people come straight from school, train in long sessions and spend a lot of time in the sports hall. Facilitating everyday life for them and their parents has therefore been an important focus and we have planned a place to do homework and eat snacks or heat their evening meal - a bit like a leisure center.

Photo: Dennis Wernersson

Public space has become a bigger part of people's everyday lives, used for social gatherings, birthday celebrations, walk-and-talk meetings and even as office space. A development that took off during the pandemic, and which landscape architect Caroline Hertzman believes will continue.

How should you as landscape architects think when designing the green environments of the future?

- It is extremely important that we take into account the increased use of public spaces and green areas in future urban planning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the importance of public parks and green spaces in the city. Parks where many people can spend time and still keep their distance. Public space has become a bigger part of people's everyday lives and is used for social gatherings, birthday celebrations, walk-and-talk meetings, and even as office space. In the future, I think this is something that will grow. In a time of isolation, we found other ways to socialize and this is something I think we will continue to use. Awareness of the importance of the designed living environment for health and well-being has also increased.

- Apartment buildings are being built higher and more densely, while residential courtyards are shrinking. This makes it important to plan for coherent green spaces in the local area. The denser the city, the greater the demands on the design of the spaces in between. This is partly for people's well-being and stress management, and partly because of the increasingly hardened city, which is finding it difficult to cope with the pressure of climate change. In some new neighborhoods in Malmö, we see how the street space has been used for larger plantings that contribute to a more designed and interesting street environment while taking into account climate change and biodiversity.

If you are particularly passionate about natural green spaces in the city, tell us more!

- Not everything should be fixed in the city! It is important that there are also more natural green areas. Areas that are suitable for children to build huts and explore. That provide natural protection for wildlife and facilitate the survival of biodiversity. It is therefore important to preserve existing groves and woodlands in new urban areas. Newly created parks and green spaces are obvious but also require a lot of management. By preserving already grown "natural" parts, the green area grows, becomes more varied and interesting while the operating costs are lower in the already grown and wilder parts. Let nature take its course.

How do you see the impact of climate change on design?

- Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and here we as landscape architects can really make a difference. It is important to include in urban planning areas that can handle, for example, cloudbursts and rain. I also think it's important to focus on and integrate ecosystem services in the designed environment, such as delaying stormwater through planting in the street. We must protect our nature and our heritage. From an environmental perspective, it is obviously important to work with sustainable materials and not to think short-term. Materials should last a long time and withstand heavy wear and tear from users. Most people aspire to a living city, and the city must be able to cope with life.

The Länsresidenset state building in Kristianstad has a new courtyard designed by FOJAB. The design is based on Renaissance ideals and will serve as a lovely place to take a break for the residence's tenants.

The residence, which makes up an entire block in Kristianstad, has in recent years been gradually renovated and adapted for new functions and tenants. Among other things, the representation floor has been converted into office space, the facades of the main building have been plastered and the main entrance has been discreetly adapted for accessibility. The work is led by Mattias Hedberg Ek at FOJAB. In 2016 he was appointed house architect by the National Property Board, which owns and manages the building.

Now the courtyard is also finished after a major renovation.

- When the residence was built, there were stables and carriage houses in the yard, otherwise it was probably a gravel area. The pre-renovation appearance dates back to the early 1960s. Since then, changes and additions have been made gradually. Now the courtyard has been adapted to today's needs and at the same time given a new expression that harmonizes with the building, says Caroline Hertzman, landscape architect at FOJAB.

The new design is based on the Renaissance ideal of the building and garden working together, and draws on the house's materials and symmetrical design. A large central meeting place is bordered on two sides by granite walls, perennial plantings and reflecting ponds. The meeting place is highlighted with a different ground material and a centrally placed care tree.

Existing stone walls around the former staircase are preserved and create a frame around the new paved area in front of the entrance. Plantings visible in the 1937 relationship drawing are recreated along the facades.

The courtyard also houses bicycle parking and a new green house. In connection with the redesign, a historic lighting fixture has also been restored. Together with low bollard luminaires in the plantings, it now illuminates the courtyard's new meeting place.

- The inner courtyard has regained its dignity and the status it once had as a residence garden. The transformation has been a boost for the entire neighborhood," says Maria Nordh, property manager at Statens fastighetsverk Syd.

Facts and figures Kristianstad county residence
Designed by architect Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander and built in 1857-1860. Until 1997 it was the residence of the Governor of Kristianstad County. Since 1935, the residence has been a listed building.

Following parallel assignments, FOJAB has been appointed to design the final piece of the puzzle in Masthusen in Malmö, the first BREEAM-certified district in the Nordic region. Part of the block is intended to be a pilot project for climate-neutral construction according to LFM30.

Kvarter 14 is the latest in Skandia Fastigheter's development of the area around Masttorget in Malmö's Västra hamnen district. The winning proposal includes approximately 240 apartments (over 14,000 square meters of living space) and public premises.

The design is based on - and builds on - the place where the sea meets the city, the West Harbour's palette of warm and natural materials and the public location by the square. "An austere and elegant proposal with a sense of modern functionalism", according to the jury's statement.

- The block should give back to the city and the people of Malmö, and be a well-functioning part of its neighborhood. "Together with Skandia Fastigheter, we have worked hard on the urban character, with active ground floors and a mixed program with business premises, community premises and different types of housing," says architect Ida Stavenow.

The light and informal architecture is combined with innovative sustainability. Part of the block is planned to be a pilot project for climate-neutral construction according to LFM30 (Local Roadmap Malmö).

- "We are designing a solid wood house with housing, a bicycle garage, a greenhouse and a shared roof terrace. The wooden house stands like a recessed gem in the middle of the neighborhood and becomes the social hub for the neighborhood community," says architect Niklas Sonestad.

- Using the architecture, we explore how to make the absolute smallest carbon footprint possible. We minimize the concrete by removing the parts that normally have to be concrete, i.e. the stairwell and the base plate. It is both more fun and more constructive to work with the climate challenges in this way, as an engine to explore and see what ideas and architecture it can generate. This is how we want to approach future challenges," says Ida Stavenow.