Slussen Regeneration Masterplan in Stockholm, Sweden

June 22, 2010 Category: Cultural, Public Buildings

Located in Stockholm, Sweden, Slussen Regeneration Masterplan was designed by Foster + Partners. Revealed as the winner of the international competition in May last year Foster + Partners stood triumphant with its revised design for the Slussen regeneration which appeared to have undergone a recession-induced facelift. Several months later and the design development has revealed the third incarnation of the plans.

Part of Stockholms Vision 2030 plans the masterplan has been designed in collaboration with Berg Arkitektkontor for the City of Stockholm and will provide new public spaces, an accessible quayside, pedestrian and cycle routes and prominent new buildings while transforming the existing infrastructure to minimise the threat of flooding and create a 21st century transport interchange.

As with the previous revision the most striking change is the simplification of the bridges which began in the first design as complex interlaced paths spreading out across the river. This then evolved into a lightly sinuous bridges but in the latest designs the curves have been ditched entirely for straight lines. When asked at the second design stage if the recession was to blame WAN were advised the changes were due to ‘analysis and further input from specialist consultants’. But are the revisions really for the best? The public are being given the chance to decide for themselves in the public consultation. The designs are currently on exhibition housed in a building within the Slussen masterplan area itself.

Spurred by an urgent need to replace much of the degenerated water and transportation infrastructure the project covers an area of Stockholm adjacent to the navigation lock between the Baltic and the freshwater Lake Mälaren. A central feature of the new Slussen is the Water Square, a pedestrianised public space arranged around the new navigation lock and realigned quayside, animated by new restaurants and bars. On the Södermalm side, the ground plane around the existing City Museum is extended out over the new below ground transport interchange and shopping mezzanine to create a series of new public spaces. A range of mixed use buildings are integrated into the new quarter to become a dynamic urban focus for Stockholm. Slussen’s prominent waterside location opposite historic Gamla Stan will make it a magnet for the city’s best contemporary architecture, while the elegant new road and pedestrian bridges will become feature elements. Once complete, the new Slussen’s extensive public terraces will provide spectacular panoramas over Stockholm.

Slussen Regeneration Masterplan Architechture Plan 1