Fredriksdalskajen by Nivå Landskapsarkitektur

The Fredriksdal Quay (Fredriksdalskajen) is developed from an old industrial harbour to a recreational public space; a node with seating, playful swings, plantings and a sun-drenched pier. The node aspires to become a local meeting point and a place to linger on your walk along the Stockholm waterfront.

The design of the quayside was based on three main principles:
– Creating a functioning public space where existing industrial operations are combined with recreation and leisure.
– Offering an attractive place to stay, despite the north facing location and the exposure to lakeshore winds.
– Finding activities that suits many target groups on a water facing plaza with non-commercial focus.

Location and function

The quay is located at Hammarby Lake in Stockholm, adjacent to one of the city’s main infrastructural veins connecting Stockholm’s southern suburbs with the central island of Södermalm. The quayside project is one of the last phases of a major urban development project, Hammarby Sjöstad, which has been evolving in southern Stockholm since the late 90s. The site is part of a continuous stretch along the water, from Liljeholmskajen in the west to Hammarby Sjöstad in the east and further on to Sickla lock.
The Fredriksdal quay is north-facing, but thanks to the long wooden pier in the north-east, the area’s most sunlit location can be utilized for sun-bathing and picnics. Prior the planning, a solar study was carried out, revealing that a major part of the quayside would be shaded by new high-rise buildings along on the quay. The design team then came up with the idea of utilizing the already existing pier structure that steers boats into Hammarby lock, to build a large, sun-exposed deck. In this way, the site could offer visitors a new water-near sunbathing spot. Towards the lock and the eastern views of Hammarby Lake a series of long wooden benches face the water, from which one can watch the passing and locking of ships and boats.

In the west, a generous plaza has been formed. Large American Ash trees that provides shelter and greenery are scattered across the square, and two large-scale swings offer activity and movement for both children and adults. The swings act as an eye catcher and centrepiece on the square, from which swinging visitors have a vast view of Hammarby Lake, across the sun deck and the canal’s frequent boating. Behind the swings a steep vegetation slope rises towards the Skans Bridge, forming a green back drop in the west facing sightlines along the quayside. In addition to an existing stairway, a public elevator will be added to connect the quay and the Skans Bridge in the future.
The site has a long history as an industrial harbour, and some of the old port activities remains even after the renewal. The site is designed so that pedestrians and bicyclists can co-exist with the new group of recreational visitors on the site, as well as car users and port operators.

Material and design

The industrial character is the foundation for the design of the quayside and square. The functions needed on the site are solved using products derived from ports and industrial environments, but further developed for the site. The colours yellow, white and grey that are often found on ships and harbour environments dominates the design.
The quay is characterized by large concrete slabs, bright yellow seating inspired by traditional mooring bollards, and white fencing. The railings are made from expanded metal, which creates a transparent connection between the square and Hammarby lake. The generous pine hand railings offer comfort for lingering visitors overlooking the water and the locking of boats.

The arc shape as a recurring form is derived from the adjacent Skans Bridge’s two old concrete arches from the 1920s. In the western view, they interact with the white metal arches of the swings, the semi-circular smooth concrete slabs on the wooden pier and the ramp’s arched landing.

Other designers involved in the design of landscape: architects and landscape architects: Lighting by Sweco
Project location (For publicly accessible projects please include exact address): Fredriksdalskajen, Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm, Sweden
Design year: 2008-2017
Year Built: 2017- 2018

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