flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Winning design by 3XN converts modernist bathhouse to university library

Winning design by 3XN converts modernist bathhouse to university library

The sleek, new 196,441-sf addition in Sweden contains modernist elements that respects the original 1930s structure's integrity.


By BD+C Staff | July 1, 2014
All renderings courtesy 3XN
All renderings courtesy 3XN

Denmark-based architecture firm 3XN's design won the architectural competition for Mälardalen University's new educational facility in Eskilstuna, southwest of Stockholm, Architecturelab reports.

The new building's cubic shape, geometric trellis, and bright façade is a nod to the nearby historical, modernist public bathhouse designed by Paul Hedqvist in the 1930s. 

The winning proposal is of a 196,441-sf structure that will house educational facilities and workplaces for 4,000 students and 350 students. The project is estimated to cost 49 million.

The firm said about the conversion:

"Internally, the new building connects to the public bath on the first to decks, creating a cohesive flow between old and new. The lower levels will be completely open and connected so that the new and old building seen as one functional and spatial whole. The volume of the main swimming pool is retained as the school library. By also locating the café and student house in the public bath, it becomes a unique social meeting place for the students.

"A central atrium, double-height auditoriums, open study areas and inner courtyards create a building with good visual connections between floors. Classrooms and lecture halls are located on the lower three floors. The administrative offices are at the top of the building, creating a more private working environment."

Related Stories

| Nov 24, 2014

Midsize construction firms see a brighter business horizon

Uncertainty about government spending clouds an otherwise positive economic outlook among 59 middle market construction firms polled recently by GE Capital.

| Nov 24, 2014

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill-designed crystalline tower breaks ground in southwestern China

Fitted with an LED façade, the 468-meter Greenland Tower Chengdu will act as a light sculpture for the city of Chengdu.

| Nov 21, 2014

Rental apartment construction soars to 27-year high: WSJ report

The multifamily sector is now outpacing the peak construction rate in the previous housing cycle, in 2006, according to the WSJ. 

| Nov 21, 2014

Nelson adds to its stable with EHS Design acquisition

This represents Nelson’s fifth merger or acquisition in 2014, during which the firm’s net fee revenue has increased by 60% to $65 million. 

| Nov 21, 2014

Nonresidential Construction Index rises in fourth quarter

There are a number of reasons for optimism among respondents of FMI's quarterly Nonresidential Construction Index survey, including healthier backlogs and low inflation.

| Nov 21, 2014

NCARB: Number of architects in U.S. grows 1.6% in 2014, surpasses 107,500

The architecture profession continues to grow along with a gradually recovering economy, based on the results of the 2014 Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, conducted by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

| Nov 20, 2014

Lean Led Design: How Building Teams can cut costs, reduce waste in healthcare construction projects

Healthcare organizations are under extreme pressure to reduce costs, writes CBRE Healthcare's Lora Schwartz. Tools like Lean Led Design are helping them cope.

| Nov 19, 2014

The evolution of airport design and construction [infographic]

Safety, consumer demand, and the new economics of flight are three of the major factors shaping how airlines and airport officials are approaching the need for upgrades and renovations, writes Skanska USA's MacAdam Glinn.

| Nov 19, 2014

Construction unemployment hits eight-year low, some states struggle to find qualified labor

The construction industry, whose workforce was decimated during the last recession, is slowly getting back on its feet. However, in certain markets—especially those where oil drilling and production have been prospering—construction workers can still be scarce.

Sponsored | | Nov 19, 2014

3 technology trends on the horizon

As technology continues to evolve exponentially, construction firms have ongoing opportunities to enhance the quality, speed, and efficiency of building projects and processes. SPONSORED CONTENT

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021