Hamnplan in Sigtuna has been reimagined as a vibrant waterfront plaza.
Once a gravel car park, the site is now a generous public meeting place overlooking Lake Mälaren. Comfortable seating, a sculptural rain garden, new lighting and integrated artwork invite visitors to pause, gather and take in the view.

Framing the waterfront

The south-facing position towards the water and marina has shaped the design. A long row of sun-facing sofas frames the edge of the square, orientated to capture both the light and the outlook. The social furniture is arranged to face in multiple directions, offering varied ways to sit, meet and linger. Playfully detailed, the seating strengthens the identity of the place while encouraging movement and interaction across generations.

Parking remains, but is carefully integrated within defined planting beds, creating a softer threshold between vehicles and public space.

A surface with character

The open plaza is paved in natural stone and concrete set in a distinctive herringbone pattern. Subtle shifts in the laying pattern animate the ground plane, catching the light in a way that recalls the movement of the nearby water.

An artwork by Katarina Löfström marks the entrance to the square, establishing a clear arrival point. A new cycle path runs through the site, forming part of Sigtuna’s wider strategy to prioritise active travel.

Planting as structure and system

Generous planting areas structure the space and create a green buffer between the plaza and the car park. The species-rich planting scheme plays a central role in the project’s environmental performance.

Designed to enhance biodiversity, the vegetation supports local habitats while contributing to sustainable drainage. The rain garden captures and filters all the local stormwater, responding to a changing climate. A layered mix of trees, shrubs and perennials provides seasonal variation, shade and microclimatic cooling, ensuring the space remains comfortable throughout the year.

Light after dark

Overhead wire lighting frames the plaza, casting a warm, shimmering glow during the evening. Late at night, when the space is quiet, the feature lighting is dimmed or switched off to create a calmer and darker atmosphere.

Planting beds are subtly highlighted with low-level floodlighting, turning the greenery into a focal point after dusk. Lighting along the pedestrian and cycle routes provides safe, subdued illumination while also serving the adjacent parking areas.

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Team: Cecilia Jarlöv, Erik Miron, Josefin Norén Almén, Felix Melin, Sanna Eriksson, Clara Fraenkel, Viktor Sveding

Client: Sigtuna municipality

Architecture office involved (if any): Light design: White Arkitekter

Photo credits: Jann Lipka

Other credits: Artwork: Katarina Löfström
Water-, Wastewater-, and traffic Engineer: Structor AB

59.614183, 17.715431