Arkitema and Folkhem create new neighborhood in wood

Arkitema Architects and Folkhem Trä have created the winning proposal for a new neighborhood in the competition for Ör Centrum. The proposition is a vibrant, modern and inclusive addition to Ör, a northwestern suburb to the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

The vision for the new neighborhood is to create a positive addition to the city district Ör where it will be easier to live sustainably together. The ambition is to develop an urban and safe area as well as a sustainable neighborhood.

"This project has got many qualities regarding social and environmental sustainability, and it will be incredibly fun to implement. In the new neighborhood we will have a diverse group of residents since it includes both owned and rental apartments as well as a retirement home," says Arne Olsson, CEO Folkhem Trä.

The neighborhood consists of a solid wood construction with six different volumes that vary in height with the highest point to the northeast. The ascending structure has been designed to allow good daylight conditions in all of the apartments as well as the surrounding buildings.

"The neighborhood has a wood structure that will be visible and prominent in the facade design. We have carefully designed the building to make the wood as visible as possible, considering the positive effect the material has on people's well-being," says Kristina Peters, associate partner at Arkitema Architects.

The ground floors consist of many different facilities that will bring life and safety to the whole neighborhood.

"Besides small shops, a bike workshop and a health clinic with a pharmacy we also propose a small market hall, that would become the natural meeting point that the area is currently missing", says Kristina Peters.

In the courtyard a smaller building will also create a social meeting point for the area.

"In the courtyard it is planned that you can lend a workplace for a day, there will be a small café and we will have a caretaker who can both arrange help with homework and look after the flowers and the veggie farm in the greenhouse. It is initiatives like this, we at Folkhem loves to realize," says Arne Olsson.

The courtyard is closely linked to the surrounding areas and will be open to the whole of Ör. The residents will have more private common areas on the roofs in the form of terraces with greenhouses.

Facts
Adress: Ör, Sundbyberg, Sweden
Area: 16 400 m², 209 apartments
Year: 2019-2021
Architect: Arkitema Architects
Developer: Folkhem Trä