Solna Station in Stockholm, Sweden is an important public transport node in the city, a hub that will be developed with the future metro and regional train station. The area, located just east of Solna station between Gårdsvägen and Kolonnvägen, is undergoing major development, including the creation of new workplaces and housing. With its central location and attractive setting, the project is an important piece of the puzzle in the development of Arenastaden.

The new area, which is part of the Stigbygeln and Tömmen neighbourhoods, is being developed into a more vibrant and sustainable urban environment that includes a mix of offices and housing while solving today's major rainfall problems. Along Gårdsvägen, life and urbanity will be created through service and retail facilities on the ground floors. The street environment will be designed for cyclists and will be Solna's first so-called 'bicycle street'. Traffic speeds will be reduced by narrowing the lanes and there will be room for greenery and wide footpaths.

Three new office buildings and a residential building are proposed, creating an interesting meeting between the old and new Solna. The four new buildings will have a varied expression in the facade through materials, colour and structure. At the same time, there are recurring elements such as the tall, glazed ground floors and terracing that lets in natural light, together with generous roof terraces.

The neighbourhood structure is defined by alleyways that connect Kolonnvägen and Gårdsvägen and provide space for functions such as garage entrances, waste management and emergency evacuation routes. The so-called Trapptorget (Staircase Square) is characterised by a large, generous staircase with greenery and integrated seating. The square becomes a place to pause and improves the movement from Solna station through the area.

"Early in the process, the idea was established that Gårdsvägen should be developed into a green and pleasant urban street. In particular, the street should not only be a place for movement to and from the office and one's home, but should be a place to pause and be used by those who work and live there. Given the current prioritisation of traffic types, stormwater challenges where soil flooding is common, future development and in particular with this high flow of traffic and large parking requirements, there were significant demands on the street environment. I am particularly proud that together with the City of Solna, Fabege and consultants we have managed to keep this vision alive and have prioritised creating space for greenery, pedestrians and cyclists," concludes Jelmar Brouwer, head of the landscape department at C.F Møller Architects Sweden.

Project Description