Gasholder 1 & 2, built 1893 and 1899, and designed by architect Ferdinand Boberg
Gasholder 3, built in 1912
Gasholder 4, built in 1932, to be replaced by 'Stadsljus'
The site is unique due to the presence of several historically significant gasholders. The overall circular design language of 'Stadsljus' is shared with the existing gasometers, creating a strong architectural character—a family of cylindrical buildings. Over time, with the help of new technologies and construction methods, the architectural expression of the site’s existing gasholders has changed significantly, but has always retained the fundamental form of a cylinder.
generation
gasometer
'Stadsljus' is a new generation of the “gasholder”, using the cylindrical identity of the context as a starting point, yet is adapted to the needs of high-quality housing. Combining three clustered cylinders allows for a downscaled volume that is ideally suited for housing, while shaping a tower with a more fine-grained articulation and vertical proportions.
The new Gasholder 4 building, Stadsljus, rising between Gasholders 1 & 2.
Stadsljus volume built-up.
The new gasholder ensemble.
the context
Inspiration for the base of the tower.
A distinctive feature of the historical Gasholders 1 & 2 is the large vertical brick piers. They have served as inspiration for the base of the tower, introducing a high level of detail and a material quality to the animated ground floor.
The Gasholders 1 & 2's characteristic vertical brick piers.
The vertical structure and materiality is adopted for the base of the tower.
Inspiration for the body of the tower.
Inspired by the rational and repetitive steel skeleton of the Gasholder 3, the body of the tower consists of a modular, three-dimensional metal façade, subtly capturing daylight on its angled surfaces.
The structure of Gasholder 3 is repetitive and composed of a structural system with a diagonal expression.
The repetitive, diagonal articulation is a departure point for the tower’s modular facade.
Inspiration for the crown of the tower.
The crown of the tower is an interpretation of the tops of the historical Gasholders 1 & 2. Featuring a faceted and pitched roof with a pronounced overhang, it makes a distinctive mark on Stockholm’s skyline, while featuring solar cells and concealing technical devices.
Gasholders 1 & 2’s faceted pitched roofs.
The tower's crown interprets and responds to the nearby gasholders.
modular façade
The modular façade system.
The tower’s modular façade is efficient in terms of time, economy and precision. Its expression is achieved with a highly repetitive kit of parts. A typical storey consists of only three basic modules which can then be mirrored. This allows for various configurations to strike the right balance between variety and rationality.
With only a facade panel elements, the modular facade system creates a dynamic expression.
The facade panels are built-up of as a modular skeleton - a simple frame containing both facade elements and balconies. The sub-frames within the skeleton contain closed wall panels, windows, doors, and the terraces. The structure is clad in a weatherproof and low-maintenance metal material, such as recycled aluminium, corten steel, or tombak.
Build-up of the façade module.
natural landscape
The landscape surrounding the tower is inspired by the highly specific and distinctly hilly Stockholm archipelago. The landscape consists of low vegetation and green peaks that have been carefully placed in relation to the existing conditions on the site.
By connecting to ‘Norra Djurgården’ to the west and ‘Hjorthagen’ to the east, a contiguous green link is created. An undulating landscape extends over the site, giving form to a vibrant and open environment that functions at many scales.
The landscape offers three main visitor destinations on site - the tower, the cultural stage and the sculpture park. They are intertwined and meet in the green heart - a public gathering place with nature at its center.
The tower is anchored to the site with a large round field of brick pavement, laid in a circular paving pattern that marks the footprint of the former gasometer - subtly tracing the important history of the site.
