tham & videgård arkitekter's housing scheme in sweden has inverted arch balconies

tham & videgård arkitekter’s housing scheme in sweden has inverted arch balconies
all images by åke e:son lindman

tham & videgård arkitekter has completed two urban housing blocks on the quayside of a lake in southern sweden. situated in the coast of mälaren, södermanland, the ‘västra kajen’ development is based on a long term strategy of sustainability. rather than a row of standard housing slabs, apartment units have been assembled into two large volumes. the two solid compact blocks remain in proportion with their context, while minimizing the building envelope in line with the scheme’s low energy concept.

apartment units have been assembled into two large volumes

an outer layer of terraces surrounds the perimeter of both buildings, and provides all apartments with generous outdoor space. terraces are contained within a transparent screen of anodized aluminum that diffuses daylight, and with its arched shapes, creates alternating open and filtered views. this gesture provides a buffer zone between the intimate domestic interior of the residences and the vast scale of the adjacent lake and urban context. by shifting the voids in the screen every second level, a pattern emerges that unites the six floors into one distinct volume.

the two solid compact blocks remain in proportion with their context

each apartment is organized around a centrally positioned atrium. illuminated from above, the stairwell dignifies a grand entrance hall and provides an important interior space for visitors and tenants to congregate and socialize. the atrium hall also naturally preheats incoming fresh air, thus contributing to the development’s overall energy efficiency. the majority of the units are located at the building’s corners, benefiting from good views and light.

an outer layer of terraces surrounds the perimeter of both buildings

the balconies provide a buffer zone between the domestic interior and the vast scale of the lake

terraces are contained within a transparent screen of anodized aluminum

each apartment is organized around a centrally positioned atrium

the stairwell preheats incoming fresh air, contributing to the development’s overall energy efficiency

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project info:

architect: tham & videgård arkitekter
chief architects: bolle tham and martin videgård
team: eric engström, mårten nettelbladt, malin belfrage, helene amundsen, karolina nyström, marcus andrén, andreas helgesson, dennis suppers
location: jönköping, sweden
area: 10.900 sqm
client: vätterhem and riksbyggen
year: 2009-2015
photography: åke e:son lindman

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