Kunskaps- och Kulturcentrum Argus

Falkenberg's new knowledge and cultural center is strategically located between Stortorget and the new Stadsparken, creating a natural meeting place. Together with Folkets Hus and Stadsteatern, the Knowledge and Culture Center forms a strong cultural cluster that connects the existing city center with the city to the north. The attractiveness of the local area increases and the building is the starting point for the continued development of the Krispeln block.

Falkenberg's Knowledge and Cultural Center consists of two buildings, the newly built cultural center Argus and the rebuilt and expanded Falkenberg's upper secondary school house 3. Argus has a strong character and clear profile that takes advantage of the qualities of the existing buildings and adds a new and inspiring dimension to the city. It is a symbolic building that contributes to the city's diversity and social sustainability. Argus will also be certified for Miljöbyggnad Silver. The secondary school is a more subdued and restrained building, but still exudes elegance with small means of expression. Towards the city and Stortorget, the scale is lower and invites the surrounding urban development.

Towards the city park, the expression is more large-scale. The light yellow brick facades of Argus interact with the existing facade of Folkets Hus. The secondary school's facades of white plaster and terrazzo interact with both Argus and Falkhallen. Argus consists of several different volumes and the individual volumes get their unique character by using different masonry techniques, which gives a beautiful shadow play over the facades. The secondary school has a gently curved façade, which is angled towards the city center and, together with larger windows, provides better insight and views into the building's common areas. The main entrance to Argus and the building's three main views are highlighted by large brass-framed windows that become the building's exclamation point.

Argus' welcoming main entrance facing Stortorget contains the children's library's shop window and a café with outdoor seating. Inside the entrance doors is a two-level foyer with a reception and information center, exhibition areas, an auditorium and small ensemble rooms that can be used for lectures and performances. Directly inside the foyer, the library extends over two floors around a large, open light courtyard with a large internal staircase and seating area for lectures, as well as a children's area with a story cave. The library has white walls, polished concrete floors, wooden ceilings and a large window section that becomes a beautiful painting of the changing seasons in the City Park.

Upper secondary school building 3 is part of a campus and houses both the theoretical upper secondary school programs and adult education. The building's two entrances from Holgersgatan and Stadsparken lead directly to the student café and the three-storey social meeting place. On each floor there are two large learning environments on either side of the central meeting place. A learning environment contains an entire upper secondary school program and is complete with several classrooms, group rooms, open study areas around atria and teachers' rooms. The renovation and extension means that the old dark corridor school now becomes a bright, airy and educational learning environment, while allowing the number of students to grow. A footbridge connects the secondary school with Argus and allows passage into the City Park even when the buildings are closed.

Argus is the upper secondary school's common meeting place and cohesive hub on the campus with a number of existing and converted school buildings and with good conditions for expansion. In addition to the high school and library, Argus will also make room for Falkenberg's tourist information and cultural school.

Sustainability has been a major focus for both the construction and operation of Argus. 99.6% of the energy for the large property will be supplied from renewable energy sources. This includes large areas of solar panels installed on the building's roof. Otherwise, the various roofs of the building are covered with sedum, a carpet of thick-leaved plants. Among other things, the sedum roof helps to bind rainwater to reduce the load on the city's stormwater system. The plants also help to purify the air in the area and create perfect environments for bees and other important pollinators to thrive.

Award:
Architects Sweden Halland Prize 2020