Interview with architect Per Ahrbom

Fleminggatan Fourteen – central job district in new light

The development and upgrading of influential buildings, designed by himself or other renowned architects, has become something of the hallmark of architect Per Ahrbom. Kulturhuset, The Stockholm Opera, Rosenbad, KTH, Rådhuset and Centralposthuset are some examples, and now Per takes on one of his own creations on behalf of KLP:  The Klamparen area, Fleminggatan Fjorton.

Per Ahrbom and then colleague Lars Fahlsten designed the property on Fleminggatan Fourteen in the mid-eighties. It occupies an entire block with its 24,000 square feet of office space. The design was adapted to the purpose: to become the new Stockholm District Court for civil cases.
"One of the challenges was the design of the plot," says Per. 100 metres long along Scheelegatan and relatively short towards Fleminggatan. Here, a public building would take place where the public could stream in and out, and at the same time the halls would be protected by transparency – and at the same time have daylight inlet.
"Accessibility was solved by an arcade leading from Fleminggatan to the center of the façade of Scheelegatan – and further into the large, stylish stairwell. And daylight was generously let in through two large, round, lush farms.

Quality to build on

The property was remarked in 2011 based on its good architectural design and consistently high quality. Benefits that are taken forward in future developments to suit the needs of today and the future.
"This could be a house built today," says Per. The traditional is represented by a pronounced, clear order. Architecture is very much about order and organization, I think. And beautiful proportions, durable materials and fine details.
"Everything is of very high quality, both exterior and interior. Not least in the parade floor with its wooden floors, stylish suspended ceilings of Oregon pine ribs, and stairwells and pillars of black polished concrete. And many lighting fixtures in the house are specially designed.

A new modern solution

The district court moved out in 2007, and the property has since, among other things, housed Skolverket. With their move, space is given to take a greater hold of the property and realize ideas that sprout for a longer period of time. Per Ahrbom, with Anna Leskaroski as the architect in charge, is responsible for the development.
"Already when the district court made the decision to move, we started working on a new zoning plan and a proposal on what a new extension might look like. In 2012 KLP became the new owner of the property, and in 2014 the new zoning plan became statutory.
"Houses that have been carefully designed from the beginning are also easier to update. There is no end in itself in changing things that still serve their purpose. But of course, a building like this should be upgraded when the needs change to meet them to an even greater extent.

Welcoming light

"One of the requirements in the new zoning plan was to open the property to the street. The shops, cafés and restaurants that are prepared along Fleminggatan contribute to the city life of the neighborhoods, and along the Scheelegatan the wall along the arcade could be removed or reduced.

"The interior also opens further. The district court's individual small rooms can become larger, open workspaces. The courtyards with their terraces will also be opened up, for greater accessibility with space for both work, meetings and coffee breaks.

New airy floors

The biggest change in surface terms is the planned new extension. The property has 10 floors, two of which are underground. The new extension can add another to three floors, a total of 6,000 square meters. An addition that despite its size would only be sensed by passers-by on Fleminggatan.
"One of the major differences today with when the property was built is that the restrictions on the glass surfaces of the time are gone. Today's technology offers completely new possibilities there, and the whole new extension is meant to have a glass façade. The view from up here would be something extra, not least towards the city.

Communication promotion

"Communication is the most important thing in today's working life," says Per. And a solution like this creates good conditions for physical communication and collaboration, visual contact and creative meetings.
"It becomes a workplace that is teeming with life and where things keep happening. You see each other through the building, and can easily reach each other to exchange ideas. The whole house is alive!
"To be able to contribute to this development feels really amazing."

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