Kvarteret Hammaren in Umeå, Sweden

The goal is to find new uses for the two buildings that are in line with the preservation of their historical, cultural, and social values. The two buildings can have the same use or be used differently.

The teams must focus on circularity and reuse in the proposals. The teams are also expected to preserve the aesthetic appeal of these old wooden houses and safeguard their cultural heritage and character. The teams must ensure that any modifications for repurposing and reuse are in aesthetic harmony with the original buildings.

The teams shall also take into account the economic values to renovate and repurpose the houses and issues such as the energy efficiency of these aged wooden structures in a cold climate.

Owner

Balticgruppen is a real estate developer headquartered in Umeå, engaged in the development, construction, and management of properties since 1987. 

Address

Dunkersgatan 1, 903 27 Umeå, Sweden.
Link to Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/daQfLuTZr7aJesoU6

Site description

Umeå is one of Sweden's fastest growing cities. The average age of the 130,000 people who live in Umeå is 38. The city has a goal to grow sustainably to 200,000 inhabitants by 2050. The city offers world-class art, drama, films, industries, music, and research, and aims to attract more companies. 

The site of the NEB competition is Kvarteret Hammaren and its two buildings, "Gula Villan" and "Kärnhuset,". The site was originally designed and used as officers’ villas situated in the city of Umeå, adjacent to Västra Esplanaden, between the city and Regiment I20.

Gula Villan, designed by Viktor Åström in 1907, is designed in the Art Nouveau style, with a tin-clad roof and hipped gables. Frontispieces facing Västra Esplanaden with hipped gables and on the ground floor, two bay windows with an intervening balcony. Glass veranda and balcony facing north. Windowsills with decorative elements. Horizontal paneling, originally dark brown, later painted yellow in recent years. 

Kärnhuset was designed by Kjell Wretling and built in 1933 as a residence with a manor-like appearance. The house originally had seven rooms and a kitchen. Gabled roof with double-curved clay tiles. Vertical beadboard paneling and wide corners. Six-pane casement windows on the ground floor, window shutters facing the street. On the upper floor, four-pane casement windows. Towards the courtyard, a bay window with an overlying balcony. Turned posts in the railing.

The cultural and social value of the site and its historic use

Gula Villan, was constructed shortly after a major fire in Umeå in 1888. Its design was strategically chosen to symbolize prestige, located on the city road and between the city's central area and the Västerbotten Regiment. Architect Viktor Åström was renowned for his work, which includes the design of other significant buildings such as “Stora Hotellet” in Umeå.

Gula Villan and Kärnhuset initially served as officers' villas during their first few decades but have evolved over the years. In September 1982, Gula Villan was occupied for 90 days by activists demanding it become an open meeting place for Umeå's citizens. During this occupation, performances by local music bands and numerous other activities were held. In the late 2010s, an incubator or creative space for the cultural and creative industries, named "Kreator," moved into the building. This space was renovated to accommodate the creative sector, hosting several emerging creative companies, including the film director David Sandberg and a collective of small film and production companies. This collective released "Kung Fury," an action-comedy short film, in 2015 through a crowdfunding campaign. "Kung Fury" received numerous international awards and was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival.

Kärnhuset has primarily been used as a residence but has also hosted other activities such as "Kärngården", a social cooperative designed to assist individuals marginalized from society by offering work-integration activities and other support services for those who, for various reasons, find themselves outside the mainstream. Additionally, the house has operated as a soup kitchen.

Drawings and images

Use this link to access drawings and images of Kvarteret Hammaren.

Submit your entry

Submit your design proposal for Kvarteret Hammaren by emailing oskar.riby@ri.se your material no later than the 18th of March. The design proposal must fit within and be legible on one (1) A3 sheet. Please write your chosen site in the subject of the email. 

Requested information:

1. The competition proposal (1 A3) including:

   1. Concept description with accompanying analysis.
   2. Conceptual sketches and diagrams.

   The file should be named with the proposal's motto.

2. Names of all team members. Write all names in the email and note that all submitted material must be purged of any traceable information about the author or similar details to guarantee complete anonymity. 
3. Study certification of at least one team member conducting studies in architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, or interior design at a Nordic university or college.