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.

Old fishing nets, discarded sheets of glass or waste from punched-out sheet metal - can it become the facade of a newly built house? This is what FOJAB is exploring for Parkering Malmö, working on a new mobility house in the Hyllie district.

Parkering Malmö will build a parking garage in Hyllie with a facade in recycled material. FOJAB has been commissioned to design the building and thus find products that can be reused as building materials for the approximately 2,400 square meter facade area. Several demolition projects have been investigated as well as the possibility of using different metal fractions in collaboration with Stena Recycling.

One hope is to use the glass panels that are now being removed from Orkanen, one of Malmö's university buildings. Lund University of Technology has been engaged to carry out tests and investigate whether the glass can be used. The glass will be supplemented with steel skeletons from the manufacturing industry, i.e. the residue left over from punching shapes out of sheet metal. The steel skeleton can be used to create beautiful patterns.

- We have scouted around Skåne to find possible materials and partners. The difficulty is not knowing for sure what materials are available, or exactly what the hole pattern in a metal sheet looks like. This challenges the entire design process," says Anders Eriksson Modin, architect and development manager at FOJAB.

- It's a new way of working, to start entirely from what already exists and find possible areas of use. This places new demands not only on us as architects, but on society as a whole to make different materials more accessible for reuse. We also need courageous clients like Parkering Malmö, who dare to explore new methods of developing circular construction," says Petra Jenning, architect and innovation manager at FOJAB.

- Instead of seeing buildings as a storage of contents, you can look at them as a bank of materials. You have a great value in the building if you use it carefully and can reuse it again," says Annika Fernlund, property developer at Parkering Malmö.

The construction process will be monitored and co-financed by the Vinnova-funded research project "Center for Circular Construction", also known as "CCBuild". The aim is to see how the use of reused building products affects the design process.

The parking garage is expected to be ready for opening in the first quarter of 2024.

Rebecca Saaby Mehlum becomes office manager for FOJAB in Helsingborg. The creation of the new managerial position is part of FOJAB's investment in the Helsingborg market.

FOJAB is one of Sweden's leading architectural firms with nearly 150 employees. The head office is located in Malmö and there are also offices in Stockholm and Helsingborg. FOJAB is taking an increasingly larger place in the Helsingborg market and the surrounding area, a development that is now matched by a strengthening of the management organization.

Rebecca Saaby Mehlum, who has been with FOJAB in Helsingborg since the office opened in 2014, is leaving her position as studio manager to become office manager with a clearer mandate to run the business.

- It is an exciting region to work in! We see a great growth both in Helsingborg and in the surrounding municipalities. By strengthening the management, we can better position and profile ourselves, and we gain clarity towards our customers," says Rebecca Saaby Mehlum, office manager at FOJAB Helsingborg.

- This is a signal to the Helsingborg market that it is important to us. Rebecca Saaby Mehlum and her colleagues at the Helsingborg office have extensive knowledge and familiarity with the Helsingborg region - in Halland and Småland - which we know is appreciated by our customers. Now we give our Helsingborg office the conditions to become even more aggressive," says Daniel Nord, CEO of FOJAB.

For more information please contact

Daniel Nord, CEO
daniel.nord@fojab.se +46 706 87 88 82

Rebecca Saaby Mehlum, Head of Office Helsingborg, Sweden
rebecca.saaby@fojab.se +46 706 81 58 30

Jernhusen has appointed twenty actors with sustainability expertise to assist in the company's climate work. FOJAB is one of those who now sign a framework agreement with the state-owned real estate company.

Jernhusen will halve the use of purchased energy on its properties from 2008 to 2030, and become completely climate neutral in 2045. To achieve its goals, the property portfolio needs to be continuously developed. This may involve investigations in the early stages, detailed planning work, rebuilding and extensions and new construction.

FOJAB is one of twenty actors who have been appointed to support and develop Jernhusen in this work.

FOJAB has long experience of developing station environments and a solid knowledge of sustainability. With over 140 employees and offices in Malmö, Helsingborg and Stockholm, FOJAB can offer a wide range of different skills - an advantage in complex projects and multidisciplinary collaborations.

- We are very pleased to work with Jernhusen and to be able to assist with our expertise. At FOJAB we like to work closely with our clients, because we know that trust and understanding of each other is crucial if you want to achieve a lot in climate work. We enter the collaboration with the hope of exciting projects where we together can take sustainability work to a new level," says Daniel Nord, CEO of FOJAB.

The design of the new Mittuppgången station building at Göteborg Central will be decided in a prestigious architectural competition. FOJAB, in a team with Cobe, WSP and Crowd Dynamics, has been selected to participate in a parallel assignment.

The new Mittuppgången will be the station area's gateway to the north, strategically located at the foot of Nya Hisingsbron. The station building will be the main entrance to the West Link and a link between regional trains, the central station and the city's public transport. The building will also house public spaces and offices.

Jernhusen and the City of Gothenburg are organizing parallel assignments for the design. 28 teams participated in the prequalification and four teams have now been selected to participate in the continued competition. The entries will be presented in December and the winning proposal will be presented in January.

The FOJAB team is led by the Copenhagen-based architecture firm Cobe and includes the consulting firms WSP and Crowd Dynamics. The other qualified architectural firms are Dorte Mandrup A/S, Erséus Arkitekter and Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS.

- "It is of course very exciting to be prequalified for this type of key project with great importance for the development of Gothenburg, and a good opportunity for us as an office to establish ourselves in the Gothenburg market. We at FOJAB have good experience of working with the City of Gothenburg, as we developed the urban development program for the station area. The design of Mittuppgången, as one of the most important nodes, will be a natural continuation of that work," says Daniel Nord, CEO of FOJAB.

FOJAB has been chosen to design the new district at Jägersro in Malmö. The most sustainable district in the Öresund region will take shape on the site of the racetrack.  

In the spring, SMT Malmö Exploatering AB and the City of Malmö organized a parallel assignment to develop a proposal for an overall structure for the future district, with room for about 5000 homes. FOJAB and its partners IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Ramboll and Calluna were selected to participate as one of three architectural offices.

- The task was very complex and required both broad competence and long experience. Of the three offices that participated in the parallel assignments, we have now chosen FOJAB's proposal as the basis for further planning," says Ulrika Lindmark, CEO of SMT Malmö Exploatering AB.

The urban design concept focuses on three streets that connect the district with the surrounding areas, meeting in a large central park. An urban street becomes the commercial center of the district with shops, services, bazaars and flea markets. Urban villages with bustling alleys and greenery allow for meetings and local community.

- We particularly appreciate that FOJAB's proposal is so well anchored in the site and in Malmö. We also think that they have succeeded very well in creating a sustainable neighborhood with room for a lot of security and community. They have really succeeded in shaping our vision of Jägersro becoming the most sustainable district in the Öresund region in terms of housing environments, green oases and places for socializing," says Ulrika Lindmark.

- It is with pride and joy that we take on the next step in the development of Jägersro. The structural plan means that several new values, paths and functions will be added to eastern Malmö, which is so much needed and will mean a major change for the city," says the responsible architect Magdalena Hedman at FOJAB.

The structure plan will be processed during the fall and presented to the municipality in December, after which the plan program work will begin. Preliminary first occupancy in the new area is 2028.

The design of the new oncology clinic at Kalmar County Hospital is now underway. FOJAB is designing the new building, renovation and extension, which will contribute to better and more coherent cancer care and more accessible radiation treatment. The outdoor environment is also being designed by FOJAB.

Region Kalmar has agreed to a new building, renovation and extension for oncology and radiotherapy, covering a total of 6300 square meters. The investment amounts to approximately SEK 423 million. The new five-story building contains two new radiation bunkers, rooms for PET-CT, administrative premises and a treatment unit for chemotherapy. FOJAB has prepared the system documents and is now starting the design.

Technology-heavy activities
The technology-heavy operations place special demands on the premises. Radiation guns require meter-thick walls and the PET-CT room where radioactive substances are handled must be separated from other rooms.

- The most important thing is that the logistics work, both horizontally and vertically. The rooms with all their equipment must be well organized - not only individually but also in relation to each other," says Anna Hjort, project manager architect at FOJAB with long experience of working with healthcare buildings.

Welcoming rooms
In addition to being patient-safe and functional, the indoor environment should be comfortable and welcoming. Plenty of daylight and generous views should create calm and provide the opportunity to follow the rhythm of the day and the changing seasons. Colors and materials are also chosen with great care.

- It should be both a good experience for the patient and a good environment for the staff. Functional and beautiful," says Anna Hjort.

Musky greenery
The FOJAB team also includes landscape architects working on the area around the oncology buildings. Malin Ingemarsdotter talks about the design ideas:

- We have worked with John Bauer as inspiration, a bit mysterious and muscular with intense forest-like greenery and rippling water. The three courtyards should be experienced primarily from the inside, and in the evening and at night you can get nice effects through lighting on the walls and in the trees.

The new oncology clinic will be designed in spring 2022 and completed in 2026.

FOJAB is gaining ground in the Stockholm market. In order to better meet the demand and grow further, a new strategic position is created in the office management. Jens Larsson leaves the position of office manager to become market area manager. At the same time, the recruitment of a new office manager begins.

With more than 100 employees in Malmö and almost 20 in Helsingborg, FOJAB is one of Skåne's largest architectural offices. Since the Stockholm office was established in 2013, it has grown steadily.

FOJAB in Stockholm currently employs about 25 people, and its broad expertise allows for assignments on all scales, from urban development to interior design, from early stages to construction documents. FOJAB is currently involved in several of the capital region's major development projects, such as Årstafältet, Barkarbystaden and Norra Djurgårdsstaden.

In order to meet the increased demand, several new architects will be hired during the fall and the office management will be expanded in order to further develop the office. Jens Larsson, the current office manager, has been given a new assignment as market area manager in Stockholm. His task will be to lead and develop the marketing work at the Stockholm office, develop new business opportunities and work long-term to identify new projects and customers.

- Jens knows the Stockholm market well and has an extraordinary ability to see opportunities and find areas of development. With the new management structure, we can gather strength both internally and externally to raise the bar further and become even more visible in an extremely interesting market," says Daniel Nord, CEO of FOJAB.

- "It has been an exciting journey to have the opportunity, during six years as office manager, to drive the development of the Stockholm office to where we are today," says Jens Larsson. "Now it's time to gear up and take the office to the next level. An expansion of the office management can provide exactly the momentum we need to take the next step. In my new role, I look forward to being able to focus even more on growth and project creation and to develop fantastic architecture together with our clients.

The recruitment of a new office manager has begun. The process is led by FOJAB's Chief Operating Officer Karin Fagerberg, who will also act as acting office manager in Stockholm until the new office manager is in place.

For more information please contact
Jens Larsson, Market Area Manager Stockholm
jens.larsson@fojab.se,  +46 761 – 65 61 63

For questions about the Head of Office position in Stockholm
Karin Fagerberg, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Head of Office
karin.fagerberg@fojab.se, +46 705 27 46 15

How do you preserve an old institutional environment while making it relevant to today's needs? In S:t Larsparken in Lund, FOJAB has helped property owner Hemsö to find development opportunities. This fall, the groundbreaking ceremony for a new sports hall will take place.

- 'There is a lot worth preserving in the park, but at the same time we want to develop it so that it doesn't feel like a museum,' explains architect Elise Lindahl. "We have worked a lot with the spaces between the buildings, so that we add qualities without encroaching on the unique environment in many ways.

- FOJAB has made a huge contribution to the vision and strategy work and given us a good foundation to stand on. The fact that we've been able to work long-term for ten years makes it all worthwhile," says Robert Cardell, project developer at Hemsö.

More life and movement

The mental hospital site was established in the 1870s and grew with new buildings almost every decade. Each one is a reflection of its time, but the design is bound together by the characteristic red brick. Since the hospital was closed down in connection with the psychiatric reform in the 1990s, the buildings have gradually been given new content. Today, many independent schools are housed here, from preschool to high school.

- In the strategy work, we identified what St. Lars is and should be, and what holes we need to fill. One such gap was the need for life and movement in the park even in the evening," says Robert Cardell.

This resulted in two detailed plans, which FOJAB assisted Hemsö with, that develop today's - and tomorrow's - businesses.

Housing and public activities

One detailed plan allows for approximately 8900 square meters of housing and approximately 2600 square meters of premises for business, offices and/or education. The site next to the river Höje has been something of a backwater, but the plan develops it into an attractive living and working environment in the heart of the park.

The second detailed plan includes a sports facility, Växthuset, which will begin construction this fall. It will be filled with schoolchildren during the day, but with its large gym and two padel courts, it will also be a draw for local residents in the evening.

The sports hall will serve as an entrance building to the park, lit up like a lantern. It will also be a pick-up and drop-off point for school children who are driven by car to and from the many schools in the area - a logistical challenge today. In terms of design, the building relates to its surroundings with its red brick, but has its own contemporary expression.

- It winks at the park's other buildings, but takes a step further," says Elise Lindahl.

The greenhouse sports facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2022/23.

- We are creating something unique in Malmö, which will be noticed not only in Sweden but also in Europe.
So says Anders Eriksson Modin, architect and development manager at FOJAB, in a conversation about collaboration as a working method to solve climate challenges in the construction industry.

- If you say collaboration, I'll leave.

Anders Eriksson Modin begins our conversation by recounting a memory from Almedalen, a year in which this word abounded in the seminars, lectures and panel debates. Eventually, one of the audience members had enough.

- And sure, collaboration is often seen as the solution to everything. But when it comes to a problem as big as climate impact in the construction phase, which covers an entire industry - then the entire industry needs to be involved in solving it," he says.

The mixture a strength

Local Roadmap Malmö 2030, LFM30, is an initiative for a climate-neutral building and construction sector in Malmö with over 160 affiliated actors. The goal is climate neutrality by 2030 and even higher by 2035, when Malmö's construction sector will be climate positive.

Anders Eriksson Modin runs one of the seven working groups, climate-neutral building materials, together with Pauline Strandberg de Bruijn, materials researcher at LTH. The group also includes developers, contractors, designers, environmental consultants, producers and suppliers.

- The mix is one of the strengths. It is unusual to have the whole value chain sitting at the same table in this way. The more perspectives the better and the more unexpected answers you get. And not least, it gives rise to exciting collaborations," says Anders.

Dissemination of knowledge a key objective

Everyone is an expert in their own field. But together they find new ways to work with different combinations of materials to get the most climate benefit for the money.

- Take a client who wants to build an eco-house. We can investigate whether, for example, wood cooperates with hemp insulation to achieve a reduced climate impact. Perhaps we can apply for innovation support to test and prototype on a small scale, calculate and verify the climate benefits. Without LFM30, there is a high probability that the developer would have done as usual.

The main work of the group is to spread knowledge about EPD data, environmental product declaration, and how to make smart material choices. New knowledge is disseminated through seminars, round table discussions or through memos sent to the affiliated member companies. Some of it is also open for outsiders to take part in.

Climate budget

Sustainability work in the construction sector has long focused on reducing climate emissions in the operational phase. This has come quite a long way. But in the construction phase, on the contrary, climate emissions have increased. The explanation lies, among other things, in a globalized industry and trade.

- We use steel that is extracted in Sweden, rolled in Germany and bent in China," says Anders:

- I would like all projects to have a climate budget, in the same way that a financial budget is set up today. How do you get as much climate benefit as possible? Just as you reason with the business benefits.

High tempo in the group

Interest in climate calculations is growing in the construction industry and many are curious about what is happening in Malmö. LFM30 has developed a method for calculating the climate impact of a building. All members have committed to taking concrete measures to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is a strong commitment and drive among everyone.

- We know where we are and where we are going, and the pace is fast. In Malmö, forty climate-positive projects will be implemented within just a couple of years. This will attract attention not only in Sweden but throughout Europe. And this is thanks to LFM30. An important key to success has been to get all actors in the value chain to talk to each other.