USE: New residential block with 234 apartments x commercial spaces and underground garage of x parking spaces
LOCATION: Årstaberg, Stockholm, Sweden
YEAR: 2017-2020
CLIENT: Ikano Bostad
STATUS: Built
FOR: VARG

Norra Djurgårdsstaden is undergoing an extensive transformation, positioning itself as one of the city’s key sustainability-focused areas. Einar Mattsson has constructed 130 rental apartments across four interconnected building blocks. Designed to meet the Miljöbyggnad Gold standard, the building boasts exceptional energy efficiency. A portion of the energy required for the apartments is supplied by geothermal heating and solar panels installed on the roof. The project began with a parallel assignment based on a proposal that had been subject to consultation, focused on a senior care facility as the initial program.

The first phase of design work fragmented the building volumes, transforming the block into smaller, more individual units that adapt in scale and typology to their unique site conditions. This approach introduces a natural variety and a sense of scale to the neighborhood—enhancing both the experience of the buildings and the street life.

Two connecting links between the buildings act as gathering points, featuring shared functions and entrances to courtyards, commercial spaces, and residential areas.

The design is unified by a more or less visible framework, anchored in a cohesive base level that reflects the efficient layout of the apartments. Subtle deviations from this framework inject variation and playfulness into the overall expression. The raw, durable palette of materials reflects the industrial character of the area. These materials shift and change elegantly between the buildings, with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a restrained yet sophisticated aesthetic.

Images: Wolfblanc and Ikano Bostad