Housing, Gothenburg

The task has been to design the master plan for a new housing district in the Lindholm area of Gothenburg's old industrial port. The Lindholm area, dominated by former industrial buildings and shipyards, has been transformed into large-scale business districts and open plazas. The master plan proposal introduces a human scale and a different architecture focusing on the small-scale urban spaces within the scheme by refining the positioning, geometry and transparency of the buildings.

The scheme consists of ten sculptural building volumes, hence the name Harbour Stones, varying in height from four to ten storeys. The scheme also includes a tower of approximately 22 storeys, which will rise as a landmark. The buildings are designed to maximize the potential for sunlight and views of the harbour, and their facades of recycled aluminium make a strong statement with reference to the shipbuilding history of the site.

Towards the exterior the major urban traits are continued, but the new area opens up inside by means of two public stairs acting as thoroughfares and a third, landscaped stair to the waterfront. This creates a microclimate with sunny, sheltered spaces directly overlooking the harbour, and also opens views out for every resident.