”We cannot afford to build mediocre”

After a few turbulent years, the housing market is slowly starting to improve. But the future of housing requires more than economic recovery. Joachim Lundquist, Head of Housing at FOJAB, on why artistic excellence, innovation and business understanding need to go hand in hand.

- Designing housing is an honorary task. This is where people will live their lives, so it must be beautiful and stimulating environments. We cannot afford to build mediocre! Not economically, not climate-wise, and definitely not humanely.

That's according to Joachim Lundquist, Head of Architecture and responsible for the Housing business area at FOJAB. After a perfect storm of uncertainty with rising interest rates, electricity prices and construction prices, he sees a cautious brightening for housing construction. Confidence in the future is starting to return. But the market looks different than before the recession.

- Today, there is a clear trend that the demand for larger apartments is increasing. After a time when a lot of small apartments were built - with the government investment support as a contributing factor - we are now seeing a greater mix.

High demands from residents
At the same time, major demographic challenges are around the corner, which will have a direct impact on the type of housing in demand.

- We are receiving more commissions for housing aimed at older people. This is generally a group with high purchasing power that places high demands on the quality and detail of their housing, which makes it easier for us to create attractive homes.

A recent FOJAB customer survey showed very high ratings from residential customers. What is the trick?

- A key is to understand the different conditions that apply in the various segments. In rental housing, you need to be able to balance high housing quality with good income opportunities. For condominiums, we need to keep an eye on the local market and create homes with unique site-specific qualities.

- We can maximize the possibilities of a building plot and we are fantastic at floor plans. We always strive for good lighting conditions and rooms with general dimensions that can withstand different uses and that can be furnished in different ways. Preferably with a circulation system that makes the home pleasant to move around in and makes it feel larger.

- And of course: strong concepts! For us at FOJAB, artistic excellence is just as important and obvious to work with as energy and climate issues. The fundamental architectural values have taken a back seat in the last ten years. This is unfortunate, bad environments benefit no one. We feel better when we are in beautiful environments!

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for innovation in housing?

- Ground floor housing is still the type of housing most people say they want, but what is being built today is often pretty standard. That's a shame because it could be magical housing. There is huge potential for development here! It's great that we have several townhouse projects underway for clients who want more.

From office to home
- There are also many office buildings from the 60s, 70s, 80s, even 90s in good locations, which could become great homes. It's an exciting market, especially when we want to avoid demolition and build new. In Stockholm, where the economics are different, this has been done for a while already.

Joachim believes that the new building regulations will make it easier to work on transformation projects. They have been criticized for being too permissive, but here flexibility can be a prerequisite. In return, this requires extra responsibility - and expertise - from architects.

- You need to be able to find the spatial qualities that look good in a home, to see the possibilities in the geometry, to compose the housing functions in new ways. You have to be free, not be afraid to do things in new ways and not forget that different can be better.

The typology of the future
Another typology with a future is the hybrid house. In Malmö, the Hyllie hybrid has just been completed - a pilot project that challenges current regulations, economic models and the detailed planning process.

- The hybrid building is incredibly interesting. It is a building with room dimensions that can handle different types of use, that can combine functions and withstand conversion over time. We should develop more in those layers between housing, offices and services.

What do you need to start changing today as a residential architect and architectural practice to be relevant in 10 years? 

- We can be a much better support for our customers in the economic calculation. The conditions are already there. Today, we have climate data in our models - CO₂ equivalents at the material level - and the economics could be another element. It should be easy to compare three design options at an early stage and show the client: this costs more, this costs less, and this is how the climate and quality are affected. We want to continue to be the client's best advisor!

Please contact Joachim!
E-mail: joachim.lundquist@fojab.se
Mobile: +46 705 - 90 24 18