Gröndal – a unique city district Gröndal is a district with many deciduous trees that connect to the larger green spaces of Mörtviksparken, Rävudden and Vinterviken, with the art centre Skulpturens Hus housed inside Nobel's old sulphuric acid plant. Vinterviken is part of a comprehensive trail network from Sätraskogen to the Nacka recreational area via the Årstaskogen and Hammarbyskogen woods.

The Trekanten lake with its parklands is popular for hiking and recreation. The industrial area by Lövholmen is to be transformed in the coming years and will partly be replaced by housing of some form. Gröndal's link to Liljeholmen will be different than it is today.

Its very kaleidoscopic skyline from different eras, along with its proximity to the waters of Lake Mälaren, makes for a neighbourhood with great qualities. The variety is also the charm of the area in that it reflects the ages of the buildings.

The location of the proposed building is a property between Gröndalsvägen and Fregattvägen, which today is an overgrown northerly slope with clearly visible rock cuts.
The terrain is difficult to access and rarely used. Only the upper flatter parts facing Fregattvägen are suitable for recreation. A footpath passes through the area that bridges the differences in levels with the help of stairs.
To get here by bicycle, car or other transportation than by foot via the stairs, one is directed to the Fregattvägen link in the east towards central Gröndal.

Purpose

Based on requests by the City of Stockholm and the site conditions, we have formulated a vision statement for the project.

Our proposal aims to:

• According to the City's stated goals, densify the central parts of the city and thus extend housing to areas in close proximity to public transport.

• Create an architecturally interesting and contemporary project that builds on Gröndal's existing architectural traditions.

• Create homes with a contemporary and interesting profile that gives appeal to both Gröndal and the object in itself.

• Find a design for the building that justifies construction on a delicate oak-covered slope and in a culturally and historically significant environment.

• Solve the parking issue with a parking garage in the building to avoid cars on the property.

The challenge with the identified site between Gröndalsvägen and Fregattvägen is finding a design that can handle the large height difference of up to 28 metres. See Figure 1.

The area is home to a number of oak trees that are important to consider. The proposal aims to preserve as many of these as possible. See Figure 2.

Another challenge with the site is that the slope is north facing. The goal is to create a building that meets a high standard of living with bright apartments and balconies in the best facing aspects. See Figure 3.

With this building, we aim to build on the tradition in Gröndal, where many buildings are influenced by the hilly terrain. The immediate vicinity consists of a mix of architecture from different eras, see Figure 4.

The idea behind the building's design is to use the steep northerly slope to create a residential complex that assimilates and alludes to Gröndal's most known building types, the multi-storey "star" and terraced buildings, while at the same time creating a new typology.

The star formations with their terraces, especially to the south and west, create large bowls with the rock face that capture the sun. The building ascends the terrain but maintains a uniform horizontal roofline.

The trees are preserved to the greatest possible extent, even near the buildings.The roofscape becomes an extension of the nature and park area. Greenhouses, gardens, sun decks and footpaths can be added here.

Lifts connect the levels with each other and will enable new patterns of movement and use of space.

The aim of the planned construction is to erect it with the smallest possible impact on the existing natural environment.

To achieve this goal, Örjan Stål at VIÖS AB has drafted a tree inventory that has been the basis for the project's design and extent.

The property is home to many oak trees of varying condition. The goal is to preserve as many of the healthy oaks as possible. There are also a large number of deciduous trees in the lower parts, as well as some pines in the upper sections towards Fregattvägen.

The project has been designed with the goal to preserve as many of the healthy trees as possible and that their health will prevail after completion of the building.

Today there is quite an abundant water flow from the property's southern parts to its northern. The flow provides the oaks in the lower parts of the site with much of their water.

In order not to strangle this water supply, the proposal suggests placing the central parts of the building on pillars and leading the surface water underneath.

A parking garage is proposed in the northwest corner of the site.