#SOSBrutalism

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

During the construction of St. Mark’s Church, its architect Sigurd Lewerentz was constantly on site to oversee and inspect the construction process. He was most heavily involved in the masonry work and it was said that he was particularly strict about the construction of the walls. The church is a destination for people interested in architecture from all over the world. In 2021, ArkDes will open a comprehensive exhibition about architect Sigurd Lewerentz and his work.

Sigurd Lewerentz: St Mark’s Church, Stockholm, Sweden, 1958–1961

Photos: Pål-Nils Nilsson, courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

The center of Skärholmen, a suburb of Stockholm, was one of the areas built as part of the so-called ‘Million Program’. The area was planned based on the agency of motorists and a giant parking garage was built. The architects designed an open town centre with a more traditional street structure, but today it has been transformed into a shopping center.

Boijsen & Efvergren / Hans Borgström / Bengt Lindroos / Ancker Gate Lindegren: Skärholmen City Center and Housing, Stockholm, Sweden, 1966–1968

Photos: Sune Sundahl, courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist concrete Skärholm

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

In 2017 Sparta Student Residence was named Lund’s ugliest building. We definitely do not agree. Among other buildings built from concrete, Sparta is usually described as one of the clearest examples of Brutalism in Sweden. The raw concrete façade has since been remade in green.

Bengt Edman: Sparta Student Housing, Lund, Sweden, 1968–1971

Photos: Karl-Erik Olsson, courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist concrete

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

After water tower designs in Sweden they were exported to the Middle East. In Kuwait alone, the architect Sune Lindström participated in over thirty water tower projects for VBB, the Water Building Agency.

VBB (Sune Lindström): Water Towers, Kuwait City, 1965–1976

Photos: courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist concrete water tower

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

This villa was designed by one of Sweden’s most distinguished architects: Ralph Erskine. He had a distinctive style and was always happy to use an organic and asymmetrical design language. The villa was designed for Taro Gadelius, a businessman, who was born and raised in Japan. Today, unfortunately, the facade has been repainted white.

Ralph Erskine: Villa Gadelius, Stockholm, Sweden, 1961

Photos: Sune Sundahl, courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist concrete

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

The Arrhenius Laboratory at Stockholm University is characterized by the ground-level pillars that highlight both the project’s aesthetic and functional qualities. The building is considered to be one of the best and most expressive examples of prefabricated buildings in Sweden.

Carl Nyrén: Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden, 1971–1973

Photos: Sune Sundahl, Courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist concrete

SOS Brutalism ✕ ArkDes

For the next 7 days we will bring you seven Swedish projects from the archives of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design in Stockholm!

For Christmas, we are starting out with a rather festive parking garage façade. This relatively odd building in central Stockholm is Parkaden, built around 1964. The pattern of the facade aligns with the levels of the floors. The shapes were designed to help motorists remember the location of their cars.

Hans Asplund: Parkaden (Car Park), Stockholm, Sweden, 1963–1965

Photo: Sune Sundahl, courtesy of ArkDes, The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

sosbrutalism arkdescollections arkdes brutalism brutalist stockholm concrete