andrénfogelström’s viewing tower appears as a monolithic object in the landscape of sweden

a view beyond stockholm

a viewing tower by andrénfogelström appears outside stockholm like a monolithic object in the landscape. the spiraling stair makes up part of a series of similar viewing platforms in the vårbergstoppen park, a hilly area in the city’s suburbs. the park was introduced in the 1960s as an artificial landscape, its topography created from reused land excavated during the construction of stockholm’s subway system. celebrating the perfect geometries of the man-made hills, andrénfogelström designs the project, which includes the concrete viewing platforms, a bird watching tower, thoughtful signage, and a cluster of playground spheres.

images by clément morin, brendan austin

A BIRD WATCHER’S LOOKOUT

swedish studio andrénfogelström turns focus to vårbergstoppen park in response to the increasing densification of stockholm. the landscaped park offers a retreat from the urban development right outside the city, with activities for all ages. as the hills mark a navigational point of interest for migrating birds, the area is a well-known location among bird watchers. to make the park more accessible and welcoming for all residents we worked together with the office of parks and recreation and the stockholm ornithological society to develop the original brief of ‘hides for bird watching’ into a collection of viewing platforms catering to bird watchers as well as the general public.

an inconspicuous tower 

andrénfogelström’s viewing tower is modest and low, enhancing its pastoral context of vårbergstoppen. taking shape as a brief flight of spiraling stairs, the project does not seek to stand as a monumental icon rising over the landscape. rather, the low tower is a compact, almost brutalist volume, its geometry shifting with the viewer’s changing perspective. an array of vertical imprints are stamped into its surface to create a rhythmic texture, enhancing the raw concrete. 

meanwhile, embedded into the higher northern peak is an even lower viewing platform with a rounded bench viewing across the lake, toward the destinations of migratory birds and local landmarks. on the lower southern peak is a viewing tower offering 360 degree views over the south of stockholm as well as lake mälaren and the islands. concealed in the slope is a hide with close views of the birds sitting in the bushes and tall grass.

the low tower is a compact volume, its geometry shifting with the viewer’s changing perspective
vertical imprints are stamped into its surface to create a rhythmic texture the spiraling stairs integrate seating elements as points of rest along the way

andrénfogelström’s viewing tower is modest and low, enhancing its pastoral context of vårbergstoppen