Think Tank 025: Envisioning better communities

What does the best of urban design and the future of towns & cities mean to us?

Scandinavian urban practice is currently at a high – flourishing both at home and abroad. Recent years have seen a hype around the development of our Nordic cities in relation to urban design, masterplanning, neighbourhood communities, the public good and sustainability. With an increasing demand for this way of thinking more widely – what is it about this approach to urbanism that is growing in influence and gaining international recognition?

We welcome some of the leaders in urban thinking and practice who are driving innovative approaches to the nature and quality of urban places, regenerating our built environments today and visioning the cities of the future. We are happy to host a panel with a broad perspective, bringing together Swedish and international experience.

Think Tank 024: Rosengård – a neighbourhood for all

Local initiatives, communities, learning and culture

This edition of the KS Think Tank is a part of the Malmö in the Making initiative taking place during September 2023.

How do we make a neighbourhood for everyone? Focusing on the Rosengård district in Malmö, welcome to an open conversation about opportunities for local initiatives, better communities, learning, culture and entrepreneurship.

What obstacles are there in the physical environment that prevent kickstarting initiatives which bring people closer together and strengthen the local community, intensifying activities in shared meeting places? Where all ages are welcome and can find their place? Where children and young people feel seen and can contribute to their environment. How can we create places and opportunities for local entrepreneurship, small industries and workplaces? How can learning be accessible for all and evolve over time?

Which environment do we want and need?

Panel Guests:
Aisha Mossberg (Goto 10)
Laura Kieler (BRIQ)
Jenny Berg Nilson (Fryshuset)
Carin Daal (Stena Fastigheter)
Halimo Nuur Bashir (Rosengårds Folkets Hus)
Marcus Horning (Malmö City)

Time and place:
28th September – 5:00 pm
Design Built pavilion
Bennets väg 13
213 67 Malmö

KS lectures at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts

KS & Varvsstaden – transformation of industrial heritage

Featuring the revitalisation of Kockum’s formerly industrial area in Malmö and the example of Gjuteriet, Varvsstaden and Kjellander Sjöberg present their work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through minimising resource consumption and impact on the climate caused by urban transformation and construction processes. How focusing on sustainable strategies and common goals early in the process is essential for the necessary transition as well as for the built result – architecture.

Focused on the intensive re-use of repurposed materials, the project demonstrates how existing buildings can be reimagined based on circular principles, introducing meeting places and urban activities. Preserving traces and memories of the place and historic forms of the building, a new neighbourhood is created where the present is tightly interwoven with the multifaceted story about the port’s rich maritime heritage.

Speakers:
Hanne Birk, Varvsstaden
Johan Pitura, Kjellander Sjöberg Architects

Time and place:
21st September 2023, 5:30 pm
Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts
Fredsgatan 12
Stockholm

Läs mer om föreläsningen
Läs mer om Gjuteriet

Think Tank 023: Gjuteriet: industrial heritage reimagined

Circular approach, re-use & innovation

It is time for the next Think Tank, focusing on re-use and transformation of the already built.

Based on the example of Gjuteriet in Varvsstaden in Malmö, we will discuss how to reach the Sustainable Development Goals through minimising resource consumption and impact on the climate caused by the construction sector.

How focusing on sustainable strategies and common goals early in the process is essential for the necessary transition as well as for the built result – architecture. We will explore re-use and the potential of seeing what is already built as an important asset; both from the material and resource perspective as well as from a wider cultural and historical public interest in the growing city.

The aspiration of the Think Tank is to shed light on the question through the diverse experiences of the invited guests – the Malmö City, the developer Varvsstaden, The Faculty of Engineering at the Lund University, the main tenant Oatly and Kjellander Sjöberg Architects.

Panel Guests:
Hanne Birk (Varvsstaden)
Finn Williams (Malmö City)
Ulla Janson (LTH)
Olof Martinsson (Malmö City)
Cia Eriksson (Oatly)

Time and place:
24 August 2023, 5:30 pm
Gjuteriet
Ångfärjekajen 8
211 19 Malmö

Event RSVP: [email protected]

KS Shop 08: Industrial heritage reimagined

Photo exhibition about circular approach, presenting the recently completed transformation of Gjuteriet in Malmö for Varvsstaden, captured by the photographer Rasmus Hjortshøj.

Focused on the intensive re-use of repurposed materials, the project demonstrates how existing buildings can be reimagined based on circular principles. Formerly a ruin, the distinctive building has been given a vibrant new life as an active and social new urban place telling a multifaceted story about the port’s rich maritime heritage.

Kjellander Sjöberg began with what was already there: the imposing steel structure, the brick walls, the frail and broken collage-like character of the building we found – all these preserved stories and narratives that have accumulated over time.

‘The way the new building elements hang from the existing loadbearing structure perfectly demonstrates how retrofitting or transforming existing buildings into new spaces can be done out of respect for the qualities already available. This approach also means that the aesthetic qualities of the existing brick and steel structures and window frames are retained and become important for both the spaces and the representation of the spaces,’ says the photographer Rasmus Hjortshøj.

KS Shop 07: The Tactile and Poetic

We welcome the artist Anna Hillbom to the KS Shop.
Displaying a series of sculptures and sketches in the shopfront, we are thrilled to invite everyone to KS’s latest exhibition in central Malmö, a part of the public realm.

Using tactile and poetic means, Anna Hillbom creates a link between the archaic and the experiential, the haptic and the truly human. By replicating the primitive forms, and through an intricate responsive process, both fragility and heaviness arise – means of expression close to the very essence of architecture itself. Through clear materiality using plaster, wood, clay and brass, the inherent qualities of materials are emphasized, which may determine the outcome. Possible poetry arises in forms that speak of the importance of the familiar, the ordinary.

Vernissage

8th December 2022, 17:30 – 20:00
Engelbrektsgatan 7
211 33 Malmö

KS to present urban strategies for climate change in Toronto

KS has been invited to participate in the ’International Architectural Roundtable’ on 30th November in Toronto, Canada. Titled ‘Designing for a Lower Carbon City and Society’, the discussion will focus on how architects and urban planners could lead the way forward toward a more sustainable, inspiring and resilient cities and communities. To combat climate change will require dramatic shifts in how we live, how we get around, and how we build. Denser, more walkable cities can help us achieve environmental and social goals. But getting there needs political capital and a strong design vision for the physical environment. How are we planning and designing for denser cities with higher quality of life? How are architects and planners balancing the needs for resilient and sustainable structures with creating accessible and inspirational urban spaces?

Stefan Sjöberg will present KS’s expertise and methods for designing coherent, inclusive urban environments and neighbourhoods with a distinct character and identity. The presentation will feature the Meridian Water project in London, an emerging masterplan based on the 15-minute city principles for the London Borough of Enfield. The event will conclude with a joint panel discussion.

’International Architectural Roundtable’ is a part of ‘The Buildings Show’ organized by Buildings Canada, an annual three-day event with prominent, expert-led seminars and thought-provoking panel discussion about design, architecture, construction and property management.

Panel guests

Stefan Sjöberg, Founding Partner, Kjellander Sjöberg
Alex Bozikovic, Architecture Critic, The Globe and Mail
Michael Eliason, Founder, Larch Lab
Veronica Madonna, Principal Architect, Studio VMA, Assistant Professor, RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University

Time and place

30th November
8:00- 10:00 AM (GMT-5)
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South
Toronto, Kanada

Architecture for climate emergency

Kjellander Sjöberg will host the Architects Declare networking meeting in Malmö on 27th September. The point of departure for the debate is the critical impact using raw materials has on our climate, and will feature three built projects, each based on their specific site conditions as a means to minimise the use of resources in a different way – Psychiatric Clinic in Borås by White, Våtmarksparken in Västerås by Topia and KS’s transformation of Gjuteriet in Malmö.

Architects Declare is a network of architectural practices committed to addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency. The initiative was launched in the UK in the spring of 2019 and has now spread to more than 28 countries around the world. Swedish Architects Declare was introduces in the autumn of 2019 and has been signed by over 300 Swedish architectural practices.

The networking event takes place simultaneously in Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm with the option to participate online.

Speakers:
Susanna von Eyben, White
Jenny Elgstrand, Topia
Johan Pitura, Kjellander Sjöberg

Time and place:
27th September 17:00
Kjellander Sjöberg
Engelbrektsgatan 7
211 33 Malmö

The event will be held in Swedish with the possibility to join online.
The registration closes on 25th September.

Timber and sustainable construction at the Architecture Days in Paris

As part of the ‘Architecture Days’ organised for the design season ‘Swedish Secrets’, KS will participate at the ‘Afterwork for professionals and architecture enthusiasts’ on 16th September at the Institut Suédois in Paris. Using examples by four invited Swedish architecture practices, the event will highlight and explore processes behind designing sustainable projects on various scales, from large metropolitan areas to small villages.

Ola Kjellander will present the KS methodology and tools, featuring the Bergsvåg residential scheme in Norra Djurgårdssaden in Stockholm and the transformation of Gjuteriet in Malmö, concentrating on timber, adaptive reuse and sustainable construction.

Participants: Kjellander Sjöberg, Liljewall arkitekter, Murman arkitekter and White arkitekter.

The event is organised by Architects Sweden and SI Paris.

Time and place:
16th september 18:00-20:00
Institut Suédois
11 rue Payenne
F-75003 Paris
France

The event will be held in English and is open to everyone.

Photo: Luca Lomazzi / voyez-vous

Swedish Secrets at the Institut Suédois in Paris

Kjellander Sjöberg has been invited to participate in the ‘Architecture Days’ discussion series taking place at the Institut Suédois in Paris on 15th and 16th September, organised as a part of the design season ‘Swedish Secrets’ by Architects Sweden. During the two days, Swedish and French architects will present and discuss sustainable approaches for urban and rural settings with a particular focus on the future use of timber in the construction industry.

Introducing the practice and featuring the transformation of Gjuteriet in Malmö and the Meridian Water masterplan in London, KS will give insight into their process and methodology for designing inclusive sustainable cities and urban places.

Running between 2nd September and 2nd October, ‘Swedish Secrets’ is a part of the ‘Swedish Design Movement’, an initiative to promote Swedish architecture, design and fashion to support the transition towards a more sustainable society.

Time and place:
15th September
Institut Suédois
11 rue Payenne
F-75003 Paris
France

Think Tank 022: Reflective practice & process

Shaping inclusive environments

How do we shape future design processes of our shared (and) physical living environment?

Reflective and responsive architectural practice needs to address current challenges and explore new territories.

In a changing social and planetary environment, what is the architect’s role?

In the midst of major transformation with blurred boundaries, hybrid combinations, and multiple stakeholders; what new types of collaborations are critical?

For this Think Tank, we have invited prominent architects based in Paris to take us through some fundamental aspects of their workshops; their processes, culture and methods.

Their thinking.

Through highly inspiring examples and references, we promote a panel discussion primarily on principles and possible paths towards a healthier, more sustainable, adaptive and inclusive future.

We would like to investigate common grounds as well as distinctively individual features that make a diverse and meaningful contribution to urban places and to the discourse.

This is a session to encourage an exchange of ideas, perspectives and experiences.
Welcome!

The event will be hosted by Architects Sweden and Institut Suédois with Kjellander Sjöberg.

Panel:
Studio Muoto (FR)
Septembre Architecture (FR)
Nicolas Dorval-Bory (FR)
Plan Común (FR)

Time and place:
15th September 2022, 19:30
Institut Suédois
11 rue Payenne
F-75003 Paris
France

The event will be in English and is open for everyone.

Think Tank 021: Proximity

Nearness, scale & community

How do we establish a sense of community and belonging in the urban context? Can local identity and a sense of kinship have a positive impact on how we use public space? Having the ‘Groupings’ exhibition as the point of departure, the Think Tank 021 will explore the topic of ‘Proximity’ through nearness, scale and community. Is the ‘we experience’ based on geographical closeness or is it a community founded on shared culture and values?

Proximity is the experience of being close. Proximity gives opportunities to create relationships, exchange expertise, and share resources. It provides a sense of community and belonging, helping us towards a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future.

Together with a highly qualified and knowledgeable panel, consisting of Finn Williams, the City Architect of Malmö, and outstanding Swedish and UK architecture practices Mae Architects, MARELD, IF_DO, Mole Architects, We Made That and Fisher Cheng, we will investigate proximity on different scales such as district, urban park, neighbourhood, institution, block, workplace and home, bringing examples from Sweden and the UK.

Arranged by Kjellander Sjöberg.

Panel guests:
Finn Williams (UK + SWE)
IF_DO (UK)
Fisher Cheng (UK)
Mae Architects (UK)
MARELD (SWE)
Mole Architects (UK)
We Made That (UK)

Time and place:
21th June, 5PM BST
Digital event, Zoom Webinar ID: 815 1485 8984

The event will be in English and is open for everyone.

Image: Henley Halebrown / Kjellander Sjöberg / 6a architects / DK-CM / JCLA / Plan A

Groupings exhibition at the Southern Sweden Design Days 2022

We are opening our Work Shop in Malmö between 19 – 22 May, presenting the ’Groupings’ exhibition as a part of the Southern Sweden Design Days 2022. The exhibition displays precedents by invited Swedish and UK practices: Mae Architects, Mareld Landskap, IF_DO, Mole Architects, We Made That and Fisher Cheng.

The theme for this year’s Southern Sweden Design Days is ‘Proximity’. KS’s exhibition highlights how do we experience urban settings at various scales. Could local affiliation and identity have a positive impact on how we use the public realm? Is the ‘we experience’ based on geographical proximity or is it a community founded on shared culture and values? The notions of ’group’ and ’groupings’ are examined on different scales such as neighbourhood, district, block, institution, urban park, workplace and home.

Southern Sweden Design Days is an international annual design festival in Malmö, focusing on sustainability, collaboration, development and innovation. For four days, a platform is created showcasing a full range of design disciplines through seminars, workshops, exhibitions and networking events.

Opening hours:
Thursday 19 May, 13:00 – 17:00
Friday 20 May, 13:00 – 17:00
Saturday 21 May, 12:00 – 16:00
Sunday 22 May, 12:00 – 16:00

Kjellander Sjöberg
Engelbrektsgatan 7
211 33 Malmö

Image: Henley Halebrown / Kjellander Sjöberg / 6A Architects / DK-CM / JCLA / Plan A

Strategies for the countryside

Stefan Sjöberg has been invited to present strategies for a vibrant, liveable countryside at the 2022 Swedish Land and Environment Court annual theme days in Stockholm on 4th May. Featuring the masterplan for Little Haldens in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire as the point of departure, the lecture will provide insight into the work and creation of new, attractive communities in the countryside that are both sustainable and viable in the long term.

The Engineering Days take place 3-4 May with ‘Meeting Place in City and Countryside’ as the main theme.
The event is initiated by the Swedish Land and Environment Court.

The masterplan for Little Haldens was developed in a wider design team with Periscope, Mae and Useful Projects for Human Nature.

On urban regeneration and social dynamics at the Polytechnic University of Milan

How can we approach design and transformation of our cities to generate new social contexts while creating iconic and complex buildings? Ola Kjellander has been invited to give a lecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan on 28th April. Titled ’Urban renewal and social dynamics’, a series of KS’s projects employing a variety of urban planning strategies will be presented, giving examples of both Swedish and international projects.

The lecture is a part of the New European Bauhaus Festival, featuring renowned architects such as Karim Nader, Yves Moreau and Kazuyo Sejima.

The event is open to public and will be broadcasted online.
Watch the lecture here: https://politecnicomilano.webex.com/meet/matteo.motti

Time and place:
28th April, 16:30 – 17:15
Piacenza Campus
PoliMi, Via Scalabrini 113
Piacenza, Italy

Read the invitation here.

KS arranges a seminar about wood construction in Malmö

The construction industry in the Nordic countries has always been closely related to wood. How did we build before the modern construction techniques such as cross-laminated boards, glued laminated timber frames, steel brackets and CNC milling machines?

In collaboration with Tränätverk A, KS organizes a seminar to discuss fundamental questions associated with wood construction, such as assessing the quality of wood and various types of joinery informed by the terms and conditions of wood as a material. The invited guests are Sofie Campanello from Fabel Arkitektur and Jakob Nilsson from Gögalunds Såg & Hantverk.

Tränätverk A is a platform for architects and other specialists to bring up and discuss topics. By sharing inspiration, experiences and projects across different professions, the whole industry benefits and the development of wood construction can advance.

The seminar is free of charge and open to public.
RSVP to [email protected]

Time and place:
21st April, 17:30
Kjellander Sjöberg
Engelbrektsgatan 7, Malmö

Read the invitation here (in Swedish)

Innovation within the Circular Economy

KS has been invited to give a Pecha Kucha talk at the New London Architecture (NLA) in London. With circular economy in the building industry as its point of departure, the event seeks to highlight innovative and sustainable projects that can help London to transition into a zero-energy and zero-waste city.

Joining a panel of London based practices, Stefan Sjöberg will discuss circular economy strategies and present the Gjuteriet transformation project in Malmö, which minimises use of resources and reduces its impact on the climate by preserving building components, complementing them with recycled materials collected in the Varvsstaden material library.

NLA is the world’s leading centre for excellence for the built environment. It explores and spreads knowledge about London’s future opportunities and challenges through research, exhibitions, events and publications.

The event is free of charge and open for public.

Time and place:
2nd March 2022
18:00 – 20:00 (GMT)
New London Architecture
London

Build for Water Copenhagen

’Build for Water’ is a new conference calling for immediate action and promotion of knowledge concerning climate change adaptation amongst key actors within the civil engineering sector. For two days, leading professionals will discuss the role of water in the city, sharing specific examples of how future requirements and changed hydrological conditions are combined in development projects.

Stefan Sjöberg and Daniel Rea from Periscope will present the emerging Meridian Water masterplan for the London Borough of Enfield, titled ’Climate, character and localism; Challenging Convention at Meridian Water’.
Meridian Water is characterised by the natural green and blue landscape of the Lee Valley Regional Park crossing the area, a unique asset challenging and accelerating the core issue of climate change adaptation. Based on existing structures, this major regeneration project aims to create good living environments for the residents and stakeholders in Enfield. Providing more jobs, educational opportunities, culture, meeting places, play and food & beverage, supported by parks and recreation areas, is essential for Meridian Water being one of London’s most deprived areas.

’Build for Water’ is organised by Building Green and takes place 6-7th December 2021 in Copenhagen in Denmark.

Speakers:
Stefan Sjöberg, Founding Partner, Kjellander Sjöberg
Daniel Rea, Director, Periscope

Time and place:
7th December 09:45-10:35
Vandværket, Copenhagen
Denmark