Farmhouse in Vasastan built on brick heritage from the 1970s

Leftover bricks from the 1970s palace Jarlahuset became the starting point for the design of a new courtyard house in the Nebulosan block in Vasastan. 

The property owner Probitas was left with 250 square meters of facade brick after the renovation of Jarlahuset on Birger Jarlsgatan in Stockholm. Using the white high-gloss brick in the construction of a new courtyard house in Vasastan was attractive to both the developer and the architects at FOJAB.

- The reuse gives the building an elegant and unique identity that is also linked to other historic buildings in Stockholm," says lead architect Cage Copher.

The neighborhood consists of buildings from the late 1800s, early 1900s and a listed apartment building from the 1960s. The farmhouse manages to blend in design-wise with allusions to both the brick facade of the 1960s house and the softer design language of the older houses. Much attention has also been paid to the design of the courtyard with different rooms that reduce transparency and allow many people to use it at the same time.

The extension stands freely in the courtyard at an equal distance from the nearest neighboring houses. The dimensions are strictly uniform in accordance with the requirements of the detailed plan: a cube 17 meters wide, 17 meters deep and 17 meters high.

- The location and shape of the building make it a natural centerpiece of the courtyard. It also means that all facades are equally visible - and equally beautiful. All sides are fronts," says Cage Copher.

Using the cube as a starting point, each floor has been divided into four equal corner apartments; well-planned and airy two-room apartments where each living room has large windows in two directions. The design gives residents both short and long sight lines across the courtyard, while creating dynamic light conditions inside.

- In the Nebulosan block, we have made all the parameters work together. The rational design provides the conditions for an efficient construction process, while the apartments are bright and spacious. The simplicity enhances the harmony of the facade and makes the building a beautiful eye-catcher for the neighbors," says Cage Copher.

The building permit has now gained legal force. Construction is expected to start in August 2026. The farmhouse will be certified according to Miljöbyggnad Silver.