Stockholm "lagom": justice and architecture. We study the development of the Swedish capital

Sweden is often called Lagomlandet, "the land of moderation" - for the desire for justice, balance. And the capital should simply strive to meet the concept of "lag" in everything. Protestant work and life ethics set the tone in lifestyle, but not in urban planning. In order for Stockholm to become a true Lagomcity, the Swedes are ready to redesign and rebuild it on a scale that may seem excessive at first glance.

 

European values ​​set the tone

In 2018, Anna Koenig Erlmur was elected mayor of Stockholm, who is also the president of the EUROCITIES organization and represents the capital of Sweden in the international organization C40 Low-Carbon Districts Network, which deals with environmental and climate issues, as well as in the OECD Inclusive Growth in Cities Initiative — a global organization that promotes inclusive development of cities.

This fragile blonde belongs to the political party Moderaterna (liberal-conservative party) and fights for the decisive role of cities in the development of Europe. Anna Erlmur does not hide that she is a supporter of "feminist urbanism". "Inclusive urban planning is also based on gender. If public places are safe for women, then they are safe for everyone," she says in an interview with Stockholm publication The Local. The mayor believes that the way to safety is primarily the creation of green, active and attractive squares and public spaces.

Modern Stockholm must compete in attracting new talented residents and become as hospitable as possible for highly qualified specialists from other countries, Anna declares. The mayor says that she is inspired by the examples of Helsinki, Copenhagen and Amsterdam, which are also characterized by high rates of urbanization. But the main projects in Stockholm - the reconstruction of Slussen and the development of the Norra Djurgårdsstaden district - are unprecedented in Europe.

 

Foster and Slussen

Today, coming to Stockholm, you find yourself in the epicenter of large-scale construction, literally on a construction site. The New Slussen project is one of the largest urban transformations in Sweden and in Europe as a whole. The Slussen Dam was built back in 1642. This hydraulic structure separates the sea from the freshwater Lake Mälaren and protects the old town of Gamla Stan and part of the Södermalm district from flooding.

In 1935, the dam and lock were covered with a road cloverleaf junction, turning Slussen into a giant transport hub where major routes intersected. But water critically washed away the foundation of this multi-layer structure, and at the beginning of the XXI century. it became obvious that it needed to be reconstructed. And if the demolition of the "clover" is inevitable, then the Stockholm authorities have decided to make this construction the starting point and catalyst of a large-scale redevelopment that will affect several central blocks at once. The competition for the development of the New Slussen master plan was won by Sir Norman Foster and his multidisciplinary team of Foster + Partners specialists.

The new master plan redistributes the balance between transport, cyclists and pedestrians, giving priority to the latter without compromising the former. The main task is to restore pedestrian connections between Gamla Stan and Södermalm, which were hindered by a road junction with a concrete labyrinth of underpasses. At the same time, the throughput capacity of the gateway will increase fivefold, and the transport junction will meet the criteria of the XXI century. In the plan, we see new public buildings, squares and parks. Directly above the lock and around it, the Water Plaza pedestrian zone will appear - with a promenade, swimming pools, restaurants and cafes.

The bus station will be hidden in the Katarina rock, where it will be combined with the subway exits and the Saltsjöbanan commuter train station. The need to blow up and extract hundreds of tons of solid rock, mainly granite and gray gneiss, which seems to us an unrealistically difficult task, does not bother the Swedes. At their disposal are super-powerful machinery and skills honed while laying in the thick of rocks of the Stockholm subway. In fact, all transport goes underground, trains and buses can only be seen on bridge crossings across Riddarfjärden Bay.

On the side of the Södermalm island, the space around the City Museum is subject to redevelopment. Several green zones will be built here, and commercial buildings and a shopping gallery will appear on the terraced slope. Pedestrian and bicycle bridges will be built parallel to the road bridge across the fjord.

 

Development as an attraction

How the city and its citizens survive this construction of the century deserves a separate story. The website of the municipality publishes weekly reports on the progress of construction works and announcements informing the residents of the districts adjacent to the construction site about the future actions of the builders. For example, because tunneling in the Katarina rock is accompanied by noise during drilling and blasting, the municipality not only ordered contractors to build noise-insulating screens made of shingles, but also reserved temporary accommodation in aparthotels for families suffering from discomfort.

Despite the scale of the construction works, the authorities and the developer are trying to minimize inconvenience for citizens and tourists

Allocation of temporary housing does not oblige people to relocate, they can continue to live in their houses and use the headphones that were distributed to them. But those who wish can move into the apartments at any time - for a night, for a few hours, for a week or a month, in order to relax in silence.

At the same time, the time of noisy works is strictly regulated: for example, according to the current schedule, explosions in the mountain tunnel occur twice a day, at 14 p.m. and at 21:30 p.m. The schedule is floating, so people are encouraged to view information on the site more often. It also indicates the time of short breaks in traffic next to the bus station, next to which the rock is located.

Stockholm residents and tourists can follow the progress of construction not only by reading information summaries. There is an opportunity to personally visit the construction site during a daily guided tour. And if you don't have time for a tour, you can see how New Slussen is being created, just by running to the subway.

In the fences around the construction site, in particular, in the fence of the temporary aerial bicycle and pedestrian bridges over the territory, windows are made at different heights - for adults and children. You can climb to the observation deck of the popular Gondolen restaurant, which is located almost at the level of the tops of the tower cranes.

The work will affect the stairs leading down from the streets of Södermalm to the waterfront. Before they are dismantled, scheduled for autumn 2019, several lifts will be put into operation so that pedestrians or cyclists do not have to waste time moving around. In a word, despite the scale of construction works, inconvenience for people is minimal.

 

Colorful and durable

Another large-scale development project in Stockholm is Norra Djurgårdsstaden in the Östermalm district on the site of an industrial zone adjacent to the Royal Harbour. It is known for its industrial architecture, both historic, such as the gas plant towers, and modern, such as the world's largest biomass-fired CHP plant with a pleated ceramic facade.

The space between these focal objects is divided between several new residential blocks, each of which is remarkable in its own way. Gradually, Norra Djurgårdsstaden is transformed into an area with a high concentration of outstanding buildings, so original that urban planners from the organization Open House conduct regular architectural tours here with famous architects and planners as guides.

The territory of the gas plant was closed until 2011. The shutdown of the enterprise, which produced fuel for street lighting and home fireplaces for 120 years, started a new story. The red brick towers, designed by the architect Ferdinand Boberg, turned into cultural and educational centers. Today, one of them is already equipped with a climbing wall, and the other will be converted into a community and cultural center, where various events and farmers' markets will be held. And the old linear workshops are being reconstructed for a school, a hotel, a library, a tram museum and offices.

Next to the towers and the ephemeral structure, a 28-story skyscraper designed by Herzog & de Meuron is being erected on the site of an old metal gas holder, circular in plan and with a glass brick facade. Its opening is scheduled for 2022.

As Jacques Herzog, co-founder of Herzog & de Meuron promised, "this design will maximize the use of sunlight and offer a unique spatial experience." The area adjacent to the Gasklockan skyscraper will be transformed into a public park with field grasses and perennials, the project of which has already been developed by Pete Udolph in collaboration with LOLA landscape architects.

Norra Djurgårdsstaden will be a testbed for the SRS Smart City digital strategy

Preparatory work for the construction of the low-rise eco-district Kolkajen is underway to the southwest of the Gazverket towers. Judging by the master plan, fjord-oriented townhouses with access to the water will appear here. Part of the buildings (housing for students) will be built on floating platforms.

Kolkajen cannot be called a resort and country town - the project envisages the creation of both local and city-wide infrastructure facilities here. The plans include the construction of kindergartens, commercial buildings, parks and an embankment with a water arena.

Norra Djurgårdsstaden is gradually turning into an area with a high concentration of outstanding buildings

To the northeast (if you head towards Ropsten metro station) is the Västra residential area with buildings built between 2013 and 2018 and centered around Storängstorget. Before starting construction on this site, it was necessary to clean up the soil contaminated by industrial waste. After ecologists confirmed that the area was safe, builders began laying communications, including an underground system for collecting and processing household waste.

Its innovation lies in the fact that the garbage previously sorted by residents is thrown into containers, after which it is sent via pipelines to underground shredders and disposers according to the principle of pneumatic mail. The new system is functioning quite successfully, although its creators have already noted the shortcomings: the waste pipes, which they tried to make as inconspicuous as possible, turned out to be too narrow in cross-section, due to which they often get clogged.

The builders laid a storm drain connected to the rain gardens along the neighborhood grid. In total, green spaces in the block occupy 1,7 hectares, and each apartment has 13,5 square meters. m of green space. They also planned a pond for amphibians — salamanders, which are being relocated from Loudden Harbor, where construction and dredging work is about to begin. And only after that, in strict order, according to the plan, on which the quarter was divided into 10 blocks, the construction of energy-efficient buildings with gardens and solar panels on the roofs began.

In line with the pedestrian-centric concept, the number of parking spaces in Västra has been limited. For residents, the norm is 0,5 per apartment, and for bicycle parking - 2,1 per apartment. Public parking is designed for 128 bicycles and only 7 electric cars.

As for the buildings themselves, various architectural bureaus were involved in their design, which provided the quarter with visual diversity. Each of the buildings differs in architecture and color, but at the same time is a harmonious part of a single block, united by small architectural forms and landscaping elements, for which a single design code was introduced.

Each of the buildings differs in architecture and color, but at the same time is a harmonious part of a single block

Against the background of the general restrained color range, the Kvarteret Muddus residential complex stands out as a bright accent. The author of the project, architect Gert Wingård, founder of the Wingårdhs bureau, decided to cover the facades of the seven-story building with glazed bricks of a bright red-hot-crimson color. The non-standard shade was specially developed by Wingårdhs designers and patented under the code Chanel No. 2.

The Stockholm City Planning Department initially wanted to reject Wingord's project, fearing that Muddus would compete with Ferdinand Boberg's orange-and-red gas towers a few hundred meters away. But the architect managed to defend his vision, and already in 2017 the jury of the competition "The best building in Stockholm" responded to the project in an extremely positive way: "This is a radical and bold project, which is consistently implemented from the first sketch of the idea to its completion. It's a house that stands out and creates emotions."

In addition to Muddus, interactive fountains created by the famous Danish artist Jeppe Hein and an electric substation became attractions of the Storängstorget square. Encased in a perforated orange corten steel shell, it has a built-in bench and looks more like a sculptural pavilion than a utilitarian technical structure.

Investments in Västra amounted to about 65 million euros. At the same time, the municipality focuses on the expected investment income of 5 million euros per year. If Västra is taken as a demonstration of possibilities and a spoiler for the future development of Norra Djurgårdsstaden, it must be admitted that it is impressive.

Next to Ropsten metro, workers are demolishing old office buildings to make way for the construction of Sweden's largest energy-efficient and green data center, Bahnhof, which will double as a thermal power plant: the excess heat produced by the servers will be used to heat residential buildings in Norra Djurgårdsstaden. The design of the data center was carried out by the Urban Design architectural bureau, which also owns the project of the "ceramic" CHP KVV8.

The authorities also plan that Norra Djurgårdsstaden will become a test site for the SRS Smart City digital strategy, which involves the creation of an information and service platform based on open data.

The new architecture and energy-saving technologies in Västra are expected to provide investors with an income of 5 million euros per year

Wooden hill and concrete tower

The architecture of Bjarke Ingels is obviously recognizable. His 79 & Park building, built opposite the park in the Gärdet district and opened for occupancy in 2018, is a development of the signature cascade concept developed by BIG for residential buildings and previously realized in projects for Copenhagen (VM, Mountain Dwellings and 8 House). Due to the height difference, most apartments have panoramic views of the park, while the penthouses have their own terraces with roof gardens.

The building is lined with cedar boards. Combined with vertical landscaping, it gives it a naturalistic look. From the side of the park, it appears as a hill covered with trees. Glazing in the floor may seem superfluous, as it makes the apartments permeable to the views of neighbors and passers-by from the street, but it should not be forgotten that Swedes try to maximize insolation and are used to living without fences and curtains.

The construction of 79 & Park lasted 3 years. For the Swedes, who are used to the fact that residential buildings are built here rapidly, such a period of project implementation seemed too long. Several investors even abandoned the idea of ​​buying their apartments and demanded the return of advance payments, which led to a scandal and collapsed shares of the developer in the domestic market.

But now Ingels' project is considered an architectural landmark in the area, and brokers posting ads for homes under construction near 79 & Park use the phrase "apartment overlooking the famous and award-winning architecture" in their ads. By the way, a three-room apartment "with a view of 79 & Park" can cost about 800 euros.

In 79 & Park itself, the price of real estate at the stage of construction under a "first-hand" contract with the developer, a large developer company Oscar Properties, started at 11 euros per square meter. For the rent of a three-room apartment in 788 & Park itself, today they ask for 79 thousand euros and more.

But housing in Stockholm's tallest building, the Norra Tornen tower, designed by OMA's Rainir de Graaf and opening on the same day as 79 & Park, is even more expensive. Rent an apartment with an area of ​​118 square meters. m starts from 4 thousand euros per month.

Buildings from OMA and BIG are an attempt by the developer Oscar Properties to supplement the traditional Scandinavian architectural landscape with accent objects

The construction of Norra Tornen is one of the variations on the theme of a modular system of precast concrete elements, where the facade consists of alternating bay windows and sunken terraces. Clearly textured walls made of concrete with inclusions of stone chips are a kind of tribute to brutalist architecture (whose homeland, according to Rainier de Graaf, is Sweden itself).

Buildings by OMA and BIG, as well as the upcoming Gasklockan skyscraper by Herzog & de Meuron, are an attempt by Oscar Engelbert, founder of Oscar Properties, to supplement the traditional Scandinavian architectural landscape with accent objects from world stars. As Engelbert said: “The city has never before opened two buildings from two world-renowned architects on the same day. Norra Tornen and 79 & Park are proof that Stockholm's urban landscape can be changed and improved."

Do Bjarke Ingels's masterpiece and Rainir de Graaf's brutal tower correspond to the Swedish concept of "lag"? Aesthetically - probably, but if we talk about the cost of housing, then hardly. New houses have already become catalysts for the gentrification of districts. This fact pleases developers, inspires architects and urban planners. But not ordinary Stockholmers, many of whom are critical of similar trends in the city's development.

 

Housing in Stockholm: affordable, but not great

The desire for a fair distribution of resources and benefits has formed a special model of the real estate market in Sweden, which is sometimes called "Swedish socialism". In the 60s of the XX century. the social democrats implemented the affordable housing program Miljonprogrammet, building up the suburbs of Stockholm with faceless panel high-rise buildings and introducing a series of conditions for developers.

Until now, the developer hands over most of the square meters at the disposal of the state and joint-stock housing companies, and they are already selling apartments, distributing them in turn. Yes, in Sweden there are still queues for housing - for social housing for preferential categories from communal funds, as well as for ordinary housing from joint-stock housing companies. Those willing to rent or buy an apartment at a "reasonable price" can wait decades for their turn. There are literally units of apartments "from the developer" available for free.

Most often, the landlord applies the "income rule" - this means that the total annual income of the family must exceed the rent for 3 years. Students, for example, cannot rent such an apartment because they cannot prove a stable income. Therefore, student housing in Sweden is allocated to a separate category of real estate.

The good thing is that it is the lowest interest rate in Europe for a real estate loan — only 2,7% for credit terms from 15 to 40 years. Young families, who are in a hurry to live today and are not ready to stand in line, have the opportunity to purchase expensive housing with a mortgage.

An apartment in the historic center of Stockholm can be cheaper than in new complexes on the outskirts

Pricing is significantly influenced by such a criterion as the comfort of living. This leads to such a paradox, from our point of view, when an apartment in the center can be cheaper than in the suburbs. At the same time, the desire to capitalize on real estate, making it as comfortable as possible, stimulates developers and authorities to develop infrastructure, invest in amenities and develop attractive design.

In Sweden, there are no restrictions on foreigners buying real estate, and in recent years, Stockholm has experienced an influx of highly paid professionals, which is further stimulated by moderate politicians, in particular the mayor of the capital.

Extreme regulation of the construction industry, cheap mortgages, an influx of wealthy expats and welfare-seeking migrants have all led to a severe housing crisis and housing shortage. It is this crisis that pushes the authorities to search for new solutions, rational planning of new territories and conversion of industrial zones.

 

Protestant work ethic as the core of urban metabolism

From 2010 to 2030, the authorities of Stockholm undertook to increase the city's housing stock by 140 new apartments. The municipality requires developers to ensure that half of the apartments in new buildings meet the criteria of "affordable housing" and are intended for rent, primarily to students. From the point of view of a Ukrainian, the fact that developers not only fulfill, but also exceed this norm seems absolutely incomprehensible. For example, according to data for 2017, 63% of the volume of new housing is intended for rent. "Lagom"?

Also, since 1963, developers in Stockholm have been forced to follow the "one percent rule." This means that one percent of the investment costs for construction and renovation in Stockholm must be allocated to artistic design. Therefore, new public art objects appear on the streets, parks, residential areas, and squares. For example, the Heine fountains in Storängstorget were created thanks to the "one percent rule".

Regulation of the process, holding of art contests and quality control is handled by a special department of the City Hall — Stockholm konst. And local architects are lobbying for an increase in the norm. "1% is not much, 2% is 100% more!", says architect Gert Wingord (author of the crimson Kvarteret Muddus building).

By 2040, the population of the Swedish capital will reach 1,3 million people

The Stockholm government allocates 17 million euros per year for the fight against garbage alone. Part of these funds goes to promote a healthy lifestyle and protect the environment. The authorities approach this very creatively. For example, on the streets of Stockholm you can see fimpomata - boxes for collecting cigarette butts.

Butts are very harmful to nature because of the cadmium and microplastic particles contained in them. Fimpomats have two compartments, and by throwing a cigarette butt into one of them, you simultaneously become a participant in the poll, because the question of the day is written on the top of the fimpom, for example: "What do you vote for - kebab or halal food?" or "Where do you buy - at IKEA or ZLATAN?".

Experiments with color, forms and height in the modern architecture of Stockholm, although we paid special attention to them in the article, are actually quite rare. Most often, new houses try to fit into the historical landscape, using terracotta, gray or rust-red colors for facades and roofs.

Well, public transport in Stockholm, despite a lot of construction work, runs with extremely strict adherence to the schedule. Citizens do not skimp on comfort - buses (by the way, a significant number of them are fueled with biodiesel), trams and trains are almost never overcrowded, on the contrary - the number of empty seats can lead to the idea that transport is not being used efficiently enough and it is possible to save on the number of units rolling stock on the route.

But the concepts of comfort, expediency and efficiency among native Swedes are significantly different from ours. The national transport plan, which the Swedish government presented in 2018, foresees the allocation of 15 billion euros for the development of the country's transport network in the next 70 years. At the same time, the lion's share - more than 60 billion - is allocated from the budget of the capital. The government decided to adapt the railways for high-speed trains, which are able to overcome 320 kilometers per hour.

One percent of investment costs for construction and renovation in Stockholm is allocated to artistic design

Regarding the "severe housing crisis", it is worth making a caveat. A housing shortage in Swedish is when an angry Stockholm resident writes on a government website that her family of five is forced to live in a three-bedroom apartment. According to demographic forecasts, the population of the Swedish capital will reach 2040 million people by 1,3. But judging by the scale and pace of urban construction, there is no doubt that residents will not feel any particular discomfort from compaction.

Compared to the actual situation in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv, the Stockholm crisis seems like a kind of utopia. As Queen Alice said, "I've seen hills like this, next to which it's just plain." At the same time, the openness of the Stockholm government, its willingness to introduce innovations and honestly share its unique urban experience with the whole world, the transparency of processes and awe-inspiring attitude towards nature are admirable. It would be reckless to ignore this valuable experience.

And if the key to Sweden's success lies in their commitment to comply with the concept of "lagom", perhaps Ukraine today would not be hindered from becoming "more flexible"?