2015-11-04
Student accommodation nominated for the Housing Prize
Helsingkrona nation's new student housing building Tornet, designed by FOJAB architects, has been nominated for the Swedish Architects' Housing Prize. The prize rewards a completed residential building that maintains a high architectural level. The winner will be announced on November 19 at the Architecture Gala. FOJAB arkitekter has also been nominated for the Skåne Architecture Prize for the student housing in the Landsarkivet in Lund.
- "These are two unique projects where Helsingkrona nation's new student accommodation building stands out with its unique shape and height," says Mattias Hedberg Ek, responsible architect at FOJAB, who was also responsible for the student accommodation in Landsarkivet.
Attractive student accommodation
Helsingkrona nation's new building Tornet offers attractive accommodation with 69 apartments for so-called buddy living. This means that two students share each apartment. The layout of the building is designed with a stairwell in the center and six pie-shaped apartments located around the stairwell. This means that all apartments will be bright and have views in several directions.
With its 13 floors, the building has also become a new landmark in Lund. At the top of the building, exactly 100 meters above sea level, there is a common banquet hall with a fantastic view of Lund, Malmö and the Öresund. On the ground floor, in addition to housing, there is a study room and a salad bar.
FOJAB arkitekter has been involved throughout the project - from the initial idea to the completion of the building, providing all types of architectural services.
- Together with Helsingkrona nation, we are very happy to have been nominated in tough competition. It is especially fun that a student housing project with a limited budget manages to get so much attention, adds Mattias Hedberg Ek.
Construction of the new building started by Peab in January 2014 and was completed in August this year. All apartments are currently rented out to students.
The Swedish Architects' Housing Prize rewards a recently completed residential building or complex of high architectural quality. The prize is awarded to stimulate and raise awareness of high quality housing construction in Sweden. The jury pays particular attention to housing qualities, a good implementation process, tradition and international influences, and how technical innovations are designed. The jury is appointed by the Swedish Academy of Architects.
Also nominated for the Skåne Architecture Prize
FOJAB arkitekter has also been nominated for the Skåne Architecture Prize with another student accommodation building - Arkivet in Lund. It is the old Landsarkivet that has been converted into student housing.
- It is a much talked about project where we have tried to both preserve and develop the old architecture. The renovation and extension of this cultural-historical environment has been carried out with high ambition and a limited budget. This has certainly contributed to the fact that we, together with Lund Nation, were nominated," says Mattias Hedberg Ek.
The winner of the Skåne Architecture Prize will be announced on November 13 at the Creative Skåne event.