architectural guide

Exposé Architecture Guide Stockholm

Stockholm is Sweden's capital and the country's cultural, political and economic centre. The city, which is spread across 14 islands, is characterised by its special geographical location between the Baltic Sea archipelago and lake Mälaren. Almost a third of the city's area is made up of water. The islands, which vary in size, are characterised by their building era and each have its own character.

The old town of Gamla Stan on the island of Stadsholmen is characterised of a medieval street network. Many buildings give an idea of the influence of the German Hanse. Between Gamla Stan and the island of Södermalm, Slussen is located. The floodgate where the fresh water of lake Mälaren meets the salty water from the Baltic Sea. This place means an important urban and transport hub for the city.  A granite rock rises here 50 metres above the water and small wooden houses mix with the architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. In elegant Östermalm representative buildings from the Wilhelminian period, neoclassicism and Nordic Art Nouveau, which became known internationally as Swedish Grace, predominate.

In recent years, the city has grown steadily and numerous contemporary architecture projects have received international attention. The designs often focus on topics such as sustainability, climate-friendly energy and transport planning, as well as a sensitive approach to location and material. The reinterpretation and further development of the traditional Scandinavian building material wood leads to new dimensions and concepts.

The first edition of the Stockholm Architecture Guide was published in 2020 by DOM Publishers. Texts, layout and overall concept are the work of the author within the framework of the publisher's specifications. All photographs are by the author, unless otherwise stated.