3XN to Design Landmark Structure in Stockholm

Danish architects 3XN have won the First Prize in the invited international competition for a new structure marking the entrance to Vällingby Parkstad in Stockholm, Sweden. According to 3XN, the softly shaped building symbolizes the human values characterizing the revival of Vällingby Parkstad and thus creates a close relation between work life, housing, and leisure.

“It was important for us to create a contrast to the traditional and more angular buildings surrounding the site. This building will add human values and scale to the area – and at the same time it will be a significant landmark for the Vällingby Parkstad,” said Jan Ammundsen, Partner and Head of Competition at 3XN.

Invited offices in this competition were 3XN (Denmark), BIG (Denmark), Wingårdhs (Sweden), and Tham & Videgård (Sweden).

Following is a project description we received from 3XN:

3XNs winning proposal for the new structure marking the entrance to Vällingby Parkstad symbolizes the soft values of the ABC-2.0 vision; to create a close relation between work life, housing, and leisure. The building’s curved design embraces the area and the lively shaped balconies opens up the structure towards the surroundings thus raising the park up in the air. The dense city structure at the base adds activity at eye level and life thrives on active roof tops and flowering balconies.

The area’s traditional ABC-structures are functional and angular marking a clear contrast to the green park. As an attempt to break this pattern, the new building is raised softly from the ground as a human movement. The North facing façade is smooth and plain, however towards South and West the structure is curved in an embracing gesture. This design furthermore contributes to minimizing the building’s shadows.

The wave-like shifts between floors are created by varying between four different shapes. This diversity adds dynamics to the building, a liveliness which is emphasized by the individual furnishing and flower boxes of the balconies.

Project Details:
Address: Vällingby Parkstad, Stockholm, Sweden
Client: Svea Fastigheter
Award: 1. prize in invited international competition 2010
Construction period: 2011-
Size: 13,000 m2
Architect: 3XN