Architecture could be described as an art form that provides a beautiful framework in our lives. The practice of Architecture often means balancing the client’s demand of economy and function with the need of each individual who is to live or work in that environment. At Nyréns we look for integrated solutions that bring urban design, master planning, building design, landscaping, interior design and antiquarian building expertise together.
Nyréns is an award winning Swedish architecture practice where the majority of the employees are share holders of the company. The office was founded in 1948 by Carl Nyrén and since 1983 it has been a staff-owned company. Democratic co-ownership, small design teams dedicated to each project and a flat organisation make Nyréns a place of equality and enthusiasm. All teams have a cross-section of disciplines: including architects, interior designers, landscape architects, master planners and building antiqurians with co-ordination between the groups providing an invaluable breadth of skill and experience. Given Nyrén’s philosophy to involve the clients in the architectural process, direct contact between our clients and a key contact within the team is established for every project to achieve close collaboration and ease of communication.
Our projects are characterized by a strong architectural individuality, where humanism, strength and comprehensiveness are important guidelines. Great care and devotion when handling material, light and colour are other main ingredients in our culture.
Our mission is to enrich and strengthen humanist values in our surroundings with the help of the creative skill of our employees. Our work is defined by the unique possibilities and demands of each place combined with the wishes of the client.
Hornsbergs strandpark, alongside the north-western shoreline in the inner city of Stockholm, Sweden, was created as a big livingroom as opposed to a pretty park. A more than 700-metre-long park with four different parts, including the Moa Martinsson Square, Hornsbergs strandpark is as urban as parks get, allowing residents of Stockholm’s Kungshomen to make the most of its waterside location. There is a jetty for sunbathing, plenty of informal seats and benches, as well as a sun-heated outdoor shower for runners, three long floating piers and dense groups of trees divided by species. But there is a lot to be said for creating something customised, something tailormade and purpose-built. It has been said on more than one occasion that Nyréns offers attention to detail that is otherwise hard to come by, a strategic approach to planning beyond the basic necessity – a creation’s ability to allow its users to get on with life, uninterrupted. Hornsbergs strandpark is an example of a solution focused approach to architecture, where we solve all the problems: technical, financial, and architectural – but more than that, we add a touch of magic. Hornsbergs strandparks was Awarded the Swedish Association of Architecture’s own prize, Sienapriset, in 2012.
Årstabergsparken (16 ha) is situated in Årstadal, south of the inner city of Stockholm. The project involved the design and construction of a mountain park from uncultivated nature and leftover space from nearby housing projects. Årstabergsparken follows the tradition of creating parks on top of mountains in Stockholm but, in a new expression of the mountain park, aims to enhance existing conditions of the site. The character of the final design highlights an existing natural expression, preserving the fully grown trees already in place. A new grid of paths was laid an several layers of new features were added to link the diverse areas within the park and connect it to its surroundings. Consistent entrance spaces, colour schemes and equipment give the park a cohesive expression. The park was designed to connect with an existing wildlife corridor where oaks, oak-dependant species, and coniferous forest birds were encouraged to flourish. These ecological goals expanded the design with the planting of oaks and the installation of bird- and bat-houses impacting a wider area than just the physical extent of the park. The final design of the park turned its fragmented nature into an advantage. The park creates individualised interfaces with various surroundings such as schools, housing developments, and regional bicycle routes. The shattered character of the mountain park also adds an element of discovery to the park, allowing park users to find new and unexplored areas with each visit.
Norrköping is changing from a industrial city to knowledge centre with recreation and entertainment centrally located. The city is also developing as a tourist destination and summer retreat, and the number of families with children is increasing – leading to higher demands on playgrounds, accessibility and safe, attractive environments. By Södra Kajen (Southern Quay) and Kalvhagen , we develop new public spaces according to the ambitions set out by the city. From the outset, the project has a strong design theme – from the big outlines to small the details. The design has a simple structure built around the waterside with some unexpected streaks and add-ons such as jetties, pavilions and hedges, hinting to the historical port setting with its ever-changing activities. The goal is a dynamic urban hub and a flexible and usable space. Not a posh backdrop but rather a communal space with connotations to the industrial heritage, in a robust and playful atmosphere. Considered the best spot for open-air cafés and restaurant pavilions due to its evening sun, this area is attractive in daytime as well as in the evenings. The lido (outdoor bath) by streaming fresh water will attract locals as well as visitors from across the country and abroad. The new public spaces will meet the ambitious vision for a new and exciting borough – with emphasis on developing the site in a responsible and sustainable manner and with a new, unique and distinct design based on the potential of the location and its future urban life.
Nyréns’ proposal Koolkajen (Kool Quay) won first prize in a competition for Inre Hamnen in Norrköping, Sweden. The project includes the quay running along the river Motala Ström, a new park, bridges over the new canals, public baths in the river and public buildings such as a restaurant. The renovation and development of a historic harbour and riverside district will reinforce the interaction with the water in the city and add social spaces for local residents as well as tourists. The main objective of the Koolkajen project is to allow users to get closer to the river and make use of its unique elements. A crucial part of the design will be the communal areas; the quays, the parks and the public bath. Nyréns’ design for Inre Hamnen will develop a new urban neighbourhood, that captures the area’s original industrial character and develops it to something new, yet familiar. The new district will offer a range of activities, zones and lively diversity with something for everyone. The docks add structure and breaks the big space into several separate entities for more human interaction. Today graffiti is one of the key elements in this more or less abandoned harbour together with unused cranes and natures way of slowly recapturing the area. These three elements are reused in the proposal and together with containers and other reused elements such as the 30 meter high light truss pylons the proposal aims to reinterpretate the existing in to something new but somewhat unpolished.
