Shortlisted in Projects / Public Voting 2018:

Riddarholmen


Projects / Sweden / Built in 2017 /
www.aj-landskap.se

Riddarholmen is owned and conducted by Statens Fastighetsverk (The National Property Board Sweden), which plans to renew and develop all the island’s public places to become more attractive and accessible. As a whole, Riddarholmen is culture-historically interesting and holds great antiquarian values that has to be respected and taken care of. When finding a way to renew and renovate, but also to meet today’s requirements for function, regarding Riddarholmens history has been central in the project. Södra Riddarholmen was the first part of the island’s public places to be completed.

When standing by the quays of Riddarholmen, the scenery of the water and the magical view is striking. Key conditions in the design have been to create larger areas for walking and staying by the water, and to manage the old ground materials and open harbor feeling. By letting the areas follow the quays direction, in the same way as the older harbor area did, we create an area where the usage can vary. The large space can be used for various situations, facing needs for temporal arrangements, as well as parking for cars and buses. This also allows the quays to be widened and more space is created adjacent to the buildings. The docks may also be used to tear larger boats, both liner and charter boats.

Water always creates attractive seating spots. The benches of Södra Riddarholmen are specially designed for the location and are made of the King’s oaks from Visingsö, an island located in Sweden’s second largest lake Vättern. The spacious and unrestricted areas close to the buildings provides good conditions for experiencing the houses. The triangular places formed between the houses are sheltered, south-facing quiet areas to meet and socialize. At these spots, you find comfortable benches along the façade of Kammarrättens Hus, and a custom-built bench that follows the mountain wall between this and Västra Gymnasiehuset.

In Riddarholmes earlier times, the areas closest to the buildings were often empty and open – coated in different kinds of cobblestone and all natural stones like granite. The new cobblestone areas are placed where people rarely walk because of its uneven surface. The rotund stones are traditionally placed in rows. These vary in sizes and create a quite but interesting, beautiful area. The squares natural stones are placed in walking and traffic areas. Different used areas are separated with different techniques of stone pitching and stones colors. Most of the material is recycled old stones that have been found at the spot in the ground.

The trees found on the quays were planted in the 60’s and today the trees are large and magnificent. They contribute to a positive experience of the area, and subtleties the impression of the parking lot.  A few new trees have been added. They help to give the spot shelter and divide it in smaller spaces.

 

 

Entrant office name: Andersson Jönsson Landskapsarkitekter AB
Role of the entrant in the project: Landscape architect
Website: www.aj-landskap.se
Project location (Street, City, Country): Riddarholmen, Stockholm, Sweden
Design year: 2015-2016
Year Built: 2016-2017

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