Tengbom

Midsommarkransen Elementary School

Midsommarkransen Elementary School

Tengbom

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

ARCHITECTS
Tengbom

LEAD TEAM
Pontus Eriksson

DESIGN TEAM
Louise Gydell, Banafsheh Nejad, Lottie Hedlund, Eyvind Bergström, Kristofer Eklund, Karin Dakooh Forssberg, Erica Regen, Alice Johansson, Sofia Sandqvist, Jenny Söderlind, Linda Wedebrunn, Pontus Eriksson

MANUFACTURERS
Louis Poulsen

PHOTOGRAPHS
Felix Gerlach

AREA
14000 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Hägersten-liljeholmen, Sweden

CATEGORY
Educational Architecture, Schools, Elementary & Middle School

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

By converting and adding to a former fire station from 1940, a new elementary school for 1000 pupils has been built in the Stockholm suburb of Midsommarkransen.

A schoolyard with a playground inspired by hexagonal forms found in the existing building, and areas of kept natural landscaping has been created on the premises bordering nearby Enbacken Park, allowing for shared use between the two.

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

With the former fire station being of historical value it has been of great importance to celebrate its architecture and allow for its main façade facing the street to continue to be a well-recognizable landmark in the local context.

The ground floor, previously used as a parking garage for the fire vehicles, has now been carefully converted into a captivating dining hall for all pupils of the new school, while the upper floor has been converted into pre-school spaces.

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

The firefighter’s pole and the hexagonal opening connecting the two floors are kept intact.

Situated ‘behind’ and connected to the former fire station is the addition of a new five-story building.

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

A compact volume allows for teaching in well-thought-through classrooms, complemented by an old oak tree and a forested area to be kept on the site.

Two large stairwells and full-height spaces ensure a sense of community and natural light to be present throughout the interior of the school.

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

The basement features a multifunctional hall for movement and play, and the metal-clad top floor presents itself as a lighter and smaller volume with access to an outdoor terrace.

The sand-colored concrete façade of the new building stands in playful contrast to the red brick façade of the old fire station – creating a dialogue between the two structures.

Taking on its role as an important addition to the Midsommarkransen area, the façade has been designed with a characteristic relief expression, enhancing depth as well as shadow and light.

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach

Two articulated entrances (with a built-in over-sized clock and a bench for hanging out with friends) are situated at opposite corners of the building, inspired by the distinct expression of the former fire station front façade yet signaling the new use of the site as a school and schoolyard playground.

Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
© Felix Gerlach


Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Northwest Elevation
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Northeast Elevation
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Southwest Elevation
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Southeast Elevation


Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Ground Floor Plan
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
1st Floor Plan
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Site Plan


Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Section
Midsommarkransen Elementary School
Details - Vertical Sections

Tengbom
T +46 8 4125200
Tengbom
Hälsingegatan 49, 113 31 Stockholm, Sweden