concert, congress and hotel complex, malmo by schmidt hammer lassen architects

schmidt hammer lassen architects have won the competition to design a 54,000m2 concert, congress and hotel complex in malmo, sweden. the development also includes an addition of 35,000m2 for housing and commercial use.

the new building complex is situated on universitetsholmen in malmo. the building consists of a composition of cubic volumes that are mutually twisted and given different sizes to meet the directions and building heights of the surrounding city. the facades are designed with a homogeneous expression to make the composition appear as one architectonic sculpture.   schmidt hammer lassen architects: cultural center, malmo view at night

the main entrance is at the northern part of the building, consists of a classic loggia motif facing the plaza in front. from the south you enter the building directly from the promenade that runs along the canal. the different functions in the building are organised like separate elements. here, the lobby becomes the street that runs through the whole ground floor plan and ties everything together. like the medieval cities, with curved and narrow streets, organised around plazas and squares, the lobby is designed to form small gathering places and recesses where it is possible to stop, sit and enjoy the view to the canal and the park.   

schmidt hammer lassen architects: cultural center, malmo

‘we have created a building that has a precisely shaped expression towards its surroundings to support the idea of ‘a city in the city’. as a contrast, the part of the building that faces the park and the canal is shaped more openly and organic. it is important for us to keep the ground floor open to the public, and to give the people from the city the possibility to stroll through the building if they are going to a concert, a conference, to the café or just want to make a shortcut,’ said associate partner, kristian ahlmark.   schmidt hammer lassen architects: cultural center, malmo the symphony hall

from the inside, the three volumes that hold the large symphony hall, the flexible hall and the conference hall, will stand as clearly defined elements. the building shapes appear as a three dimensional composition in laminated wood with warm, red colours.   schmidt hammer lassen architects: cultural center, malmo model of the cultural centre

the new cultural centre becomes an open, expressive and dynamic building that is manifold in both its activities and its architecture. the point of departure for the building design is the modern scandinavian architectural tradition with the clear functional organisation and the accessible and open ground floor lay-out. the building becomes the focal point and a landmark for malmo – a place where the spirit of the city, the diversity and the intimacy is given an architectonic expression.

schmidt hammer lassen architects: cultural center, malmo model of the cultural centre