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.

Restoration and reuse are, without a doubt, the best ways to reduce the climate impact of the construction industry. As architects, we need to stop demolishing in order to design something new, says Karl Johan Kember, certified expert in cultural values, representative of the Swedish Architects' Cultural Environment Council and architect at FOJAB.

Preserving what exists is suddenly in vogue for sustainability reasons - how do you see this development?

- For me as a building conservationist, the existing is primarily about the cultural environment and its significance. Cultural values tell the story of our society, give us identity, roots, knowledge, beauty and well-being, and are therefore very strong in their own right.

- However, the increased interest in sustainability has helped us to push cultural heritage issues forward as more and more people realize that a sustainable construction industry cannot be created by innovative new construction alone, but just as much by taking care of, renovating and developing the existing stock. In this way, sustainability and building conservation cross-fertilize each other very well.

How has the perception of building conservation changed?

- From being mostly concerned with the preservation of monuments, it now also includes everyday architecture, industrial heritage and our modern buildings. We know that building conservation methods of site analysis - understanding, valuing and anchoring in time and space - work for all kinds of built environments, regardless of style, age or scale.

- It also feels like there is a growing interest in stylistic architecture and local building traditions. There are more and more examples of new architecture that really dare to enter into dialog with the old without compromising the modern. In planning, we are rediscovering the dense, mixed-function 15-minute city, and the interest in using small-scale, traceable and locally produced products is only increasing.

- But perhaps the biggest change is that building conservation today focuses more on development and transformation than on preservation. Restoration is really about solving problems that have arisen. I think that taking care of our existing environments so that they are usable long into the future is the main task of building care, and it is incredibly exciting!

What is the relationship with building conservation in the construction industry?

- In the industry, there is a lot of focus now on energy consumption, reuse and innovation in new production, but unfortunately less on reusing and activating entire existing buildings and environments. Here, public clients can take the lead - and I feel that many are doing so. Akademiska hus is very interested, and the National Property Board is an exemplary client. But even among private clients, there is increasing openness to building conservation as more and more people realize the value of long-term management.

Is there anything that should be demolished today?

- It will never be possible to avoid demolition altogether. There may be built-in environmental and health hazards that need to be cleaned up, and in some cases the buildings may be in such poor condition or have such technical conditions that reconstruction is simply not possible. If demolition is necessary for any reason, it should be as circular as possible.

- But the main point is that we must drastically reduce demolition. We architects must dare to question demolitions and new buildings with a limited lifespan, and instead show rebuilding options that are based on the possibilities of the existing buildings. We must also become better at explaining how cultural values contribute to increased social, economic and environmental sustainability.

What are the challenges of such an approach?

- Over the past decades, legislation in construction has grown. While all regulations have a good purpose, it is important to recognize that each addition costs time, money and even environmental resources. Moreover, many of the requirements can be difficult to implement in retrofit projects without major and disruptive interventions. More discussion is needed on how laws, industry regulations, certifications and production methods can be better adapted to the cultural environment, renovation and reuse.

- In parallel with the increased demands, the role of the architect has changed, from a large role in a relatively small and linear process, to a small role in a large and increasingly industrialized process. I hope that we can get back to more of the old role, and that architecture can be more about beauty, materials, patina, craftsmanship and detailing. I also wish more clients would understand the importance of the long early stages of the building process. Nowadays they go so fast, competitions should be completed in no time at all, but that's when the analysis and evaluation is done!

- Another challenge is to develop better methods for comparing refurbishment with demolition and new construction, such as developed life cycle assessments at an early stage and mandatory climate declarations for all types of construction, including possible demolition.

What can architects do to drive development?

- It is up to us to take the initiative, and I would like to see more architects talking about the link between cultural environment and sustainability. It is perhaps particularly interesting right now, when we are faced with the great challenge of taking care of the Million Homes Program. We know a lot about older buildings, but now we must learn to see and understand the values of the 60s and 70s environments as well. These buildings are often beautifully situated in the terrain, have fine floor plans and good lighting conditions. These are definitely values that we need to protect - not just because it would be a huge waste of resources to demolish them!

FOJAB and Einar Mattsson are jointly developing rental apartments in Slakthusområdet in Stockholm - a carefully designed block that is being designed for Miljöbyggnad Gold, and is now out for consultation.

Slakthusområdet is part of the urban development area Söderstaden in Stockholm and will be an urban district where housing, trade and workplaces interact with food, culture and experiences. Phase 3, called Kylrumskvarteren, is located in the southwestern part and includes approximately 600 homes, premises, offices and a small park. FOJAB and Einar Mattsson are developing a block with about 100 rental apartments of varying sizes.

Lova Lagercrantz is the responsible architect at FOJAB and explains the architectural idea for the block:

- It can be summarized in one word: relief. It can be seen both in the vibrant roofscape and the changing facade life that gives variety to the street.

- But the relief is also about historical traces. We incorporate existing formal elements into the design, such as high glazed windows and industrial doors, and loading bays that become patios facing the street. The historical traces are also present in materials and details, but in a contemporary design.

The neighborhood is designed for Miljöbyggnad Gold with a focus on energy management, daylight qualities and good material choices. Great emphasis is also placed on sustainable mobility solutions where cycling is facilitated, for example with the help of a bicycle pool and easily accessible bicycle rooms. One of the commercial premises on the ground floor is used as a bicycle workshop.

- The city has an ambitious agenda in Slakthusområdet, which suits us as we plan for long-term management," says Bror Ekblom, project developer at Einar Mattsson.

The design of the courtyard is inspired by nature and the adjacent pine forest area. On the roof there is a common terrace that is more garden-like with the possibility of cultivation both outdoors and in a greenhouse.

- "The courtyard has the character of a secret forest grove, and the winding paths form patterns reminiscent of the bark on the trunks of pine trees," says Malin Ingemarsdotter, responsible landscape architect at FOJAB.

Neighborhood, small town and meetings between generations are the focus of Vallentuna's new sheltered housing. Behind the winning proposal in the land allocation competition are Seniorgården, Borätt and FOJAB. The proposal received the highest score for both block layout and design.

Vallentuna municipality wanted more housing for seniors. The winning concept in the land allocation competition is based on social housing - but it has been supplemented with terraced houses to increase the diversity of the area.

- In order to achieve a good mix in the housing environment, we are adding housing types that are aimed at people of different ages and life situations. The security home for those who need to think ahead, the townhouse for the family that has had its first child," says Fabian Pyk, responsible architect at FOJAB.

- Security and community are created by people working together. To contribute to increased quality of life and reduced loneliness, we believe in meetings between generations," says Jörgen Palm, project manager at Seniorgården.

With the small town as a model, the plot is divided into two, with their different characters forming a whole. On the western side, about 60 sheltered housing units and eight townhouses are being built around a green courtyard. The apartments are bright and well-planned with high accessibility and generous balconies and patios. The park courtyard is the heart of the neighborhood with boule courts, an orangery and a barbecue area. Also facing the courtyard is a large community room, the neighborhood's living room. The eastern side consists entirely of terraced houses that are also built around a common space to encourage community and meetings.

The block relates well to the surrounding landscape in terms of scale and the proposed choice of materials. The buildings vary between four and three storeys in the apartment buildings and two storeys in the small-scale terraced houses. Wooden facades and gable roofs in sheet metal hold the design together, while there is a variation in the details.

The project is quality assured through Nordic Ecolabel certification. Estimated start of construction is 2025.

What is good housing for older people? What are the challenges for senior housing, sheltered housing and care homes? What are the latest trends and what should clients consider? Read the interview with Rebecca Saaby Mehlum, architect and head of the Housing for the elderly competence area at FOJAB.

Senior housing for socially active pensioners. Assisted living with access to care or a host. And nursing homes for people with somatic problems and/or dementia. These types of housing have different conditions and expectations - but also points of contact and common approaches for architects and clients.

Rebecca Saaby Mehlum points to some factors that she believes will be particularly important to consider in the future. She mentions, for example, flexibility, optimal flows, co-utilization and integration in the city. And human sustainability, which FOJAB puts extra focus on in every project.

Stimulating the senses
- It's all about creating good environments. In a retirement home, this may involve enabling social interaction through a sofa group in the entrance hall or ensuring that the outdoor area is attractive and easily accessible and provides the conditions for spontaneous meetings. In a nursing home, it can be about adapting the environment to the fact that our senses deteriorate over the years and finding ways to stimulate them," says Rebecca.

But human sustainability is also about creating good working environments for those who work there. Nursing homes have their own special challenges. FOJAB is working to convert several care homes, which are currently adapted for people with somatic conditions, into dementia homes.

- One problem to take into account is that people with dementia often wander off and can't find their way back. We work with frostings that screen them off, so that they are not tempted to go out. Colors and contrast paintings also help to guide the right way.

Optimal flows
In healthcare, there is already widespread thinking about flows, how people move, who they meet, and that healthcare staff and patients should not be overexposed so as not to spread possible infections.

- This has not been the case in nursing homes. There, everyone enters through the same entrance and staff and visitors often have to walk through the entire home in long corridors. This needs to change, says Rebecca Saaby Mehlum. During the corona pandemic, this became particularly clear.

Flexibility and integration
Eight out of ten older people live at home for the rest of their lives. This is the wish of the vast majority of people, and it is also how elderly care is currently structured. It requires housing to function at the end of life, but also before that - long before.

- We need to build housing with a flexible design to accommodate other age groups as demographics change. The hallway and bathroom should be big enough for a walker, but not feel like a home for the disabled. It should be equally suitable for a young family.

For many, it is important to be able to stay in the same area. The fact that housing for the elderly is integrated into the city, close to health centers and local services, creates both security for the individual and strengthens the area socially.

- We would like to see a library or restaurant in the same building where more people than just the residents can go. This creates more meetings between different groups in the community. It also provides great opportunities to jointly use premises such as large kitchens and gymnasiums, which is smart in economic, social and climate terms.

Review of rules
Today, it is often more economically advantageous to stay in a paid-off house than to move to a senior citizen's home. How to reach those who can't afford to move to more suitable accommodation?

- It is possible to design beautiful homes but with cheaper, sustainable materials. Other ways to reduce construction costs include minimizing the number of window sizes, designing in rentable spaces and building flexibly with a long lifespan.

She would also like to see a review of many of the rules surrounding nursing homes in particular. For example, every room must have a kitchenette.

- They are rarely used and are mostly a cost.

With digitalization comes new opportunities. Smart floors can indicate if someone has fallen, or lights that turn on in the bathroom when you get out of bed. Assistive devices that strengthen both security and independence.

Facts and figures

Care homes. Assisted care needs. Private room.
sheltered housing. May be subject to assistance. Own apartment. Access to care/security host.
Senior housing. Housing for 65+. Often condominiums.

Would you like to know more? Feel free to contact

Rebecca Saaby Mehlum
rebecca.saaby@fojab.se, tel +46 706 81 58 30

Nearly two million tiles are in place. Unique architectural values have been recreated on Malmö's modernist icon Kronprinsen, thanks to a specially developed method.

Completed in 1964, Kronprinsen is still one of Malmö's tallest buildings and most important landmarks. Twenty-seven stories high, with a facade of blue mosaic tiles in varying shades that lighten towards the top of the building.

- One of the most important sustainability tasks we have in front of us is to preserve buildings from this era and from the Million Programme. With Kronprinsen, we took on the most difficult task straight away. We have extended the lifespan by another fifty years - without it being noticeable," says Andreas Jentsch, commissioning architect.

FOJAB was commissioned by the then-owners Akelius to investigate how the worn-out facade could be renovated in the best possible way, and then to plan the rebuilding. Together with the collaborative contractor NCC and Fasadglas, which manufactured the façade elements, FOJAB developed a system for installing a completely new façade, including windows, on top of the old one. Only when the new facade was in place were the old windows taken down.

It has been a real precision job, both in design and construction. The new facade could not deviate from the original by more than a few millimeters.

- We wanted to maintain the character of the building while creating an efficient process for the patterning. In addition, we were keen to minimize disruption to the tenants, so that they could stay in the building during the facade renovation," says Andreas Jentsch.

1.9 million new tiles were placed in a mosaic designed using a specially written algorithm. This was developed by FOJABcode, FOJAB's innovation platform for data-driven design.

- The algorithm optimized the design and placement of the clinker sheets, creating a seamless blue gradient. Based on the 3D model, 1,700 pattern drawings were then automatically generated, one for each facade element, which could be sent directly to the factory for production," says Henrik Malm, architect and head of FOJABcode.

IFÖ, which supplied the original tile in the 1960s, has provided original recipes for colors, glazing and execution through its archives.

Kronprinsen is part of a city block that is undergoing an extensive renovation. The roof, windows and balconies of the high-rise building are also being renovated. Kronprinsen is now owned by Heimstaden.

Would you like to know more? Feel free to contact

Andreas Jentsch
andreas.jentsch@fojab.se, tel 0706 64 05 01

Henrik Malm
henrik.malm@fojab.se, tel 076 669 69 57

In the center of Lund's newest district Brunnshög, FOJAB has developed Bona Terra on behalf of ICA Fastigheter, an urban block based on local support, a strong design idea and a comprehensive sustainability program. 

Bona Terra forms the backdrop to the district square and thus sets the tone for Brunnshög's center. The block is designed in a classic urban structure, with fine details for an extra experience. It consists of two L-shaped building bodies of different heights, between six and eight floors, with folded roofs that are fitted with solar cells or greenery.

Extra emphasis has been placed on the ground floors. Carefully composed brick details create shadow play that makes it interesting to stroll around the large building. The character varies on the different sides, providing new experiences along the way. Even on the upper floors there is a sense of depth in the facade in the form of window frames, window niches and balconies.

Brunnshög is emerging as a new district in northeast Lund, close to Max IV and ESS. When fully developed, 40 000 people will live and work here. The Bona Terra block contains 258 rental apartments, many of which are smaller in size to suit young people, students and researchers. But also large apartments for families with children and friends.

On the ground floor, an inspiring food store with a glass roof serves as a hub for the area. There will be a cultivation room, visible to passers-by, where vegetables are grown for sale. Three more shops and a pharmacy will have their entrances facing the square. One floor up, a gym is located behind large windows and the block also has space for a restaurant.

- With Bona Terra, we return to an urban design tradition that existed in older city centers, with a large variety of activities on the ground floors and strong design ideas for entire blocks. Together with ICA Fastigheter, we have had the privilege of designing a sustainable structure with high architectural quality from the urban scale all the way to the detailing of the buildings," says responsible architect Andreas Jentsch.

The diversity of species in the courtyard contributes to biodiversity. Cultivation is encouraged through planting beds and orangery and a compost is established for plant waste and soil improvement. Hard surfaces are minimized to reduce the load on the stormwater system.

Construction will start this spring and Bona Terra will be completed in 2025. The building contractor is Serneke.

How does the shape of a building affect its climate footprint? This can be difficult to grasp today, as there are no established methods for calculating climate impact in the early stages of design. Now FOJAB, in collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Institute, Warm in the Winter, Tyréns, RISE and Chalmers, is developing a tool for this. The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK 3.8 million in funding.

The climate impact of buildings is largely determined early in the construction process, but the relationships between shape, frame solution and climate footprint are currently difficult to calculate. Calculations are usually made late in the project and many conditions and decisions that can affect climate impact are already locked in.

The new tool will make it easier for construction and real estate stakeholders to evaluate the climate impact of different solutions, in order to make wise climate decisions at the design stage.

The tool links the Grasshopper 3d program, which is often used as a sketching tool in early stages, and the Construction Sector's Environmental Calculation Tool (BM). When different building elements such as an exterior wall, an interior wall or a floor are linked to simple digital volume sketches, an automatic feedback on the building's climate impact is given based on generic climate data for building resources. In this way, the architect can quickly and easily - and early on - compare the climate footprint of different building alternatives.

The three-year project that has now been granted funding is a further development of a previous project within the Swedish Energy Agency's E2B2 research program. The tool will now be further developed with better measurement data to make the results more reliable. Price and energy efficiency will also be integrated into the tool.

- The tool increases the understanding of the factors that drive the climate footprint, both initially in the design phase and what needs to be monitored during the course of the project. It will help developers and clients in the private and public sector as well as architects and designers," says Petra Jenning, architect and project manager at FOJAB.

Would you like to know more? Feel free to contact us:
Petra Jenning
petra.jenning@fojab.se
tel. 072 236 12 44

On February 1, architect Ylva Åborg starts as office manager at FOJAB in Stockholm. She will be part of the company management and will be responsible for the development of the Stockholm office. She brings with her many years of leadership experience and a strong commitment to sustainability.

Ylva Åborg joins us from LINK Arkitekter where she was Deputy Regional Manager and Group Manager. Before that she was office manager at Alessandro Ripellino Arkitekter.

Ylva has worked with real estate development on behalf of most of Sweden's major real estate developers and for various municipalities. She is an experienced process manager and has always worked with business development in parallel with her architectural work.

As office manager at FOJAB, Ylva Åborg will be responsible for leading the continued development of the Stockholm office.

- Fojab maintains a high architectural level and is strong in several areas that I want to continue working with. I see opportunities to grow in areas such as interior design, schools and real estate development with the care and development of existing buildings and environments. It is also very motivating to continue working on creating conditions for employees to develop and thrive," says Ylva Åborg and continues:

- Our industry is facing major changes due to climate change, and I see FOJAB as having all the right conditions. The well-being of employees means so much to creativity. Innovation is linked to having fun at work and being safe with your colleagues.

FOJAB currently has almost 150 employees and offices in Malmö, Stockholm and Helsingborg. The Stockholm office started in 2013 and has since then grown steadily. Ylva Åborg takes over the office manager position after Jens Larsson, who last fall got a new role as market area manager.

- Ylva Åborg and FOJAB feel like a perfect match! Ylva is a knowledgeable architect, well established in Mälardalen and with a drive to create positive change. She will be an asset for both our customers and employees," says Karin Fagerberg, Operations Manager at FOJAB.

For more information please contact
Karin Fagerberg, Head of Operations
karin.fagerberg@fojab.se +46 705 27 46 15

Ylva Åborg, Head of Office FOJAB Stockholm
ylva.aborg@fojab.se

"Live a little less, get a lot more" is the theme of a brand new concept home that FOJAB is designing for Ikano Bostad. An urban neighborhood is being built in Malmö with strong sustainability credentials and an unusual wealth of social opportunities.

The concept is designed with the future of living in mind and is based on small private spaces paired with generously designed common rooms and shared services. It does not target a specific age group, but is aimed at anyone who is attracted to a sustainable, healthy and shared lifestyle.

- Much of our social life takes place at home. At the same time, housing is expensive. We have developed a form of housing for those who do not want to spend all the money on a large apartment, but still do not want to compromise on social interaction. It is a challenge to build small in Sweden because many rules are adapted to traditional housing," says Stefan Johansson, responsible architect at FOJAB.

In terms of construction, it provides sustainability benefits such as less material consumption and less heating. The concept also means that services such as cleaning, Wi-Fi, insurance, furniture and mobility are shared to a greater extent than in traditional forms of housing.

- We call our co-living concept FlexHem. It is a square footage smart living where we try to keep down both housing costs and climate impact through space-efficient, slightly smaller homes, smart sharing solutions, conscious material choices and several common areas. Community is an important part of the concept and it will be a more sustainable way of living," says Lotta Sjödin, strategic innovation and development manager at Ikano Bostad.

The block is being built in the Elinegård district of Malmö. The core of the building is a mobility building that will provide parking for many of the residents in the area. The mobility building is surrounded on three sides by housing, and the fourth has a facade of climbing greenery.

The apartments - both rental apartments and mixed condominiums - are efficiently planned and flexibly furnished. At the entrances, there is a lobby with social areas and a laundry lounge, and large, well-equipped kitchens on the roof. The roof terrace, which is designed to resemble a neighborhood park or square, has a greenhouse, places to socialize, grow and play, solar panels and other spaces that residents can book.

Design work will start in January 2022.

What role do water and greenery play in the resilience of cities to climate change and in people's quality of life? FOJAB will investigate this within the framework of the WiCiD project. Vinnova has granted a total of SEK 5 million in funding.

Today, it is difficult to achieve coherent, effective and forward-looking urban planning in relation to water. The focus is often on problems that need to be addressed such as floods or droughts. The positive impact of water on residents is less clear.

This is about to change.

The project WiCiD (Water in City Design, Solutions for wicked planning problems) focuses on water as a resource rather than a problem. The two-year project that has now been supported by Vinnova is a collaboration between DHI Sverige AB, FOJAB, Zenta AB, Chalmers, the City of Gothenburg, VA Syd, Lund Municipality, Göteborgsregionens Kommunalförbund and Tyresö Municipality.

FOJAB's part of the project involves working with Chalmers to investigate how water and greenery can increase the resilience of cities to climate change and how the design of green and blue environments can strengthen social values.

- Greenery acts as a carbon sink, improves air quality, reduces noise and lowers the temperature in cities. Now we will also investigate how water and greenery in urban environments can contribute to, for example, equality, create identity or affect the sense of belonging," says Magdalena Hedman, architect and project manager for WiCiD at FOJAB.

WiCiD will result in a digital tool that makes it easier for urban planners in municipalities to take advantage of all the qualities of water. Another aim is to expand the social impact assessment (SIA) with increased knowledge about blue and green environments.

- In this way, the climate adaptation of our cities can go from being an expensive challenge to being part of the development of a healthier, co-utilized city," says Magdalena Hedman of FOJAB.

Vinnova's justification reads:
"The project is expected to help adapt the built environment and strengthen the resilience of our societies to the negative consequences of a changing climate."

In the middle of central Stockholm, FOJAB and property owner Castellum are developing an attractive neighborhood where modern offices, historic workshop environments and retailers meet around interconnected public courtyards. The inspiration comes from Paris and Berlin.

The Öskaret 1 property on Torsgatan is currently home to Ferdinand Boberg's 1906 building, designed for the Gasworks and the Stockholm Waterworks. FOJAB was commissioned to renovate the culturally valuable building and develop it into a modern office building. But also to develop proposals on how the remaining part of the property can contribute to urban development in the city of Stockholm.

Three new buildings
The proposal, which has now been submitted for consultation, adds three new buildings with an additional area of approximately 10,000 m2 of light-filled GFA. The buildings will have six floors plus a retracted penthouse - a scale that fits well with the surroundings. The upper floors are intended for offices, while the ground floors will have higher ceilings and public content. The hub of the neighborhood will be the courtyards, connected by porticos and passages. Inspiration is drawn from Berlin and Paris.

- There is nothing like this in Stockholm today," says Per Wilhelmsson, project developer at Castellum. "The design is ambitious and we will work actively to get the right content in terms of restaurants and shops, so that the block becomes a destination in itself.

The new block structure strengthens the connections to both Hälsobrunnsgatan and Torsgatan with more openings in and between the buildings. This will provide new movement patterns, a completely different public life, and bring the neighborhoods of Norrmalm and Vasastan closer together. Hälsobrunnsgatan will be widened with a new sidewalk and will have a more urban character.

Building on history
In terms of design, the new buildings are inspired by the history of the site in terms of materials, façade rhythm, floor height and window shapes. At the same time, they reflect their time with different proportions and techniques. The reliefs on the Ferdinand Boberg building are repeated but with a modern expression.

- It is unusual to have so much space to work with in central Stockholm, and Castellum's ambitions are high. The buildings, the courtyards and the street environment will give new life to a place that is currently rather neglected," says Sergio Barba, architect at FOJAB.

At the entrance to the harbor, Malmö's new landmark Docks will rise. A residential block designed by FOJAB for JM with two slender buildings that from certain angles seem to merge together. The building permit has now been granted.

With their characteristically tapered 26- and 18-story towers, the Docks will make their mark on the Malmö skyline. Västra hamnen and Dockan have evolved from an industrial and shipyard area to a residential, office and retail district, and the new landmark is an important piece of the transformation.

The two towers are angled to meet different urban spaces and also mark the Dock Square below. The towers land on a four-story base with public spaces for services, shops and restaurants on the ground floor.

- The open ground floor provides conditions for meetings - a cross-pollination of housing and city life," says Joachim Lundquist, responsible architect at FOJAB.

There will be a total of 157 homes in the building and a garden for the residents will be built on the roof of the base in the form of terraces with a lush beach landscape. The house bodies are clad with balconies that have a weatherproof and robust facade made of hot-dip galvanized steel. The joints play with the rhythm of the balcony edges and on the northern facades the steel is folded like salt crystals. The expression is sharp, nuanced and rooted in the history of the site.

- High-rise buildings are part of how we experience the city. Distant facades help us perceive space and atmosphere, and at night they add points of light to the cityscape. The facade of Docks will capture light and shadow in an ever-changing way, day and night," says Joachim Lundquist.

Exterior and interior are markedly different in Docks. Inside the cooler facade, residents and visitors are greeted by warm lighting and wood. Here, too, the association is with shipping and the many ships once built at the Kockum shipyard, whose metal hulls concealed cozy wooden cabins.