At Malmö harbour, the former industrial buildings of the Kockums shipyard have been converted into modern offices, restaurants, shops and apartments. The result is an urban district that preserves the industrial heritage of the area while simultaneously opening it up to the public.
| Type of Building | Districts and mixed use buildings |
| Product areas | Windows Doors Facades Sliding doors |
| Schüco Systems | FWS 50 ADS 75 HD.HI AWS 75.SI+ |
| Features | Refurbishment Investors |
| Location | Malmö, Sweden |
| Completion | 2024 |
| Architects | Elding Oscarson,Kjellander Sjöberg,Wingårdhs arkitekter |
| Specialist company | AGF System AB |
| Picture credits | © Olsheden & Co AB |
The individual preserved brick buildings were subject to heritage protection regulations, but also needed to be adapted to meet modern requirements in terms of energy efficiency and safety. “The buildings have completely different characteristics and are structurally challenging, but nevertheless possess fantastic architectural value,” says Erik Wennerholm, Infrastructure Project Manager. Varvsstaden was closed off to Malmö’s residents for a long time, now the district is connected to the city. “It is incredibly important that the buildings, together with their streets and parks, integrate into city life to create a vibrant urban district,” explains Wennerholm. Schüco façade, window and door systems were used in the refurbishment of three buildings: Magasinet, Gjuteriet and Snickeriet.
Magasinet offered ideal conditions for conversion into an office space. The challenge was to create a modern working environment within the largely unchanged industrial architecture.Architectural practice Wingårdh was commissioned to complete the revitalisation and now uses office space in Magasinet itself. Schüco door systems (ADS 75.SI), windows (AWS 75.SI) and large-scale façade systems (FWS 50) were installed, giving the building an energy-efficient envelope. “The interior has been left as unchanged as possible. Within this raw environment, we have created a fantastic indoor climate that is warm in winter and cool in summer. Although it is rugged and unrefined, all employees enjoy coming here. Being in a place that is imperfect helps to release a great deal of energy,” comment the architects in summary.
Before the refurbishment, Gjuteriet was in a ruinous state. The complex transformation began in 2021, when the roof was dismantled in stages to stabilise the structure. It was possible to preserve and insulate the cast iron windows in the gables, while the long sides of the building were given new walls built from reused original bricks. As with an archaeological site, parts of the old external wall were retained behind the new one and are visible through the modern Schüco windows. “From an architectural perspective, we built a new building within the old one,” explains Matz Thuresson from Peab. The glazed, open-plan storeys have a lightweight, floating appearance, while old workshop lamps have been reused as a nod to the past. “An exciting dialogue between old and new emerges and this creates character,” says Johan Pitura, architect at Kjellander Sjöberg.
Before the refurbishment, Gjuteriet was in a ruinous state. The complex transformation began in 2021, when the roof was dismantled in stages to stabilise the structure. It was possible to preserve and insulate the cast iron windows in the gables, while the long sides of the building were given new walls built from reused original bricks. As with an archaeological site, parts of the old external wall were retained behind the new one and are visible through the modern Schüco windows. “From an architectural perspective, we built a new building within the old one,” explains Matz Thuresson from Peab. The glazed, open-plan storeys have a lightweight, floating appearance, while old workshop lamps have been reused as a nod to the past. “An exciting dialogue between old and new emerges and this creates character,” says Johan Pitura, architect at Kjellander Sjöberg.
