Albano 12 & 16

In Norra Djurgården in Albano, Vetenskapsstaden has been built which is a new University and college area containing institutional buildings, student and PhD student residences. The idea is to unite KTH with the University by creating a new vibrant campus with a mix of institutions and housing. On behalf of Svenska Bostäder, we designed most of the housing blocks.

Along the main public road, Albanovägen and towards Ruddammsvägen, blocks 12 and 16 are located. The blocks are part of the masterplan developed by A. Wolodarski where the existing train track through the area is covered by the Albano road at the top. Both blocks are essentially mirror images of one another and are designed as corridor houses surrounding small central courtyards. The upper levels of the buildings meet Ruddammsvägen where main entrances and commercial spaces are situated. The lower levels face the small park, Albanovaterrassen, which represents the centre of the masterplan from which various streets derive.

Towards the park, the communal laundry facilities are located. The idea is that they function as social meeting places with a loggia facing the park, from which vibrant activities spread. The courtyards can be accessed through the portico behind the laundry rooms. The blocks are five to six floors high plus a retracted penthouse. The highest floors receive the best sunlight since blocks 12, 14, 15 and 16 have a shared roof terrace. Most of the buildings consist of space-efficient studios with a size of 21m2. They also accommodate a number of more spacious PhD student apartments, which are placed in the more peaceful locations such as the top floors and those facing the park.

The two blocks are related to one another by their facade cladding. They have a modest expression with a two-floor exterior plinth which is clad with pink terrazzo, the plinth is complimented by the pink plastered façade on the upper floors. The inner courtyard has a completely different expression. It will serve as a communal area for the residents to meet, where the light grey façade in combination with gold coloured railings will help to create a more intimate and homely atmosphere