kjellgren kaminsky architecture: 'mirage' dance hall

the dance hall is situated amongst a grove of pine trees
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture

three years ago, the old dance hall in falsterbo, sweden, was destroyed by fire.
the dance hall was situated 200 meters from the beach in a small pine wood grove
on the southernmost tip of sweden and had been a famous meeting place for both locals
and tourists since the 1930's. the dance hall was much mourned and it was soon decided
that the house should be rebuilt. the municipality launched an international architecture
competition that draw a record breaking interest from both media and architects.
kjellgren kaminsky's proposal "mirage" was selected to be built.

the mirage dance hall establishes a dialogue with the site. it reflects the position and façades
of the old dance hall while simultaneously reflecting its surroundings in every moment,
the changing seasons, the light and the people passing by.

the plan of the new building has the same footprint as its predecessor. it is cut diagonally
by a two story high entrance room which connects all the public areas to the building.
the building is divided so that the serving spaces are placed along the eastern façade
and the served public spaces are located on the west side. the rooms towards the southern façade
open up to terraces.


large windows allow the inside to reflect outside
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


sunlight reflecting off the dance hall's windows has a mirage-like effect on the surrounding environment
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture

the building is situated in a nature reserve. the pine tree grove surrounding the building
is kept untouched. the terraces and paths connected to the building are made out of
wooden boards taking their inspiration from the jetty's on the nearby beach.
a small grave road for deliveries is on the east side of the site.


image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


the façades of the building are clad in graphite gray fibercement and mirror glass
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


the interior of the dance hall
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture

a lot of focus was put on designing the acoustic qualities of the building. a custom made
damping wall was designed in collaboration with an acoustics expert. the wall consists of
a black acoustic felt covered by white wooden boards of various dimensions, which result
in a strong graphical statement in the building.


detail of the materials used for the damping wall
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


the white boards making a graphical statement
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


the interior of one of the restaurants which has floor to ceiling windows allowing light to flood through the space
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


reflections of the outside on the interior
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


the mirage which the reflective glass panels creates
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture


an aerial view of a model that represents the dance hall
image courtesy of kjellgren kaminsky architecture