Winning design by 3XN converts modernist bathhouse to university library

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."

Before you get your shorts in a knot, I have nothing against science, technology, engineering, or even mathematics; to the contrary, I love all four “STEM” disciplines (I’m lying about the math). But I question whether we need to be building K-12 schools that overly emphasize or are totally devoted to STEM.

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