Wingårdhs: Natural grandeur and social inclusion

W hen Nobis Hotels opened a new hotel in the centre of Copenhagen last year, its first hotel outside of Sweden, Wingårdhs carefully redesigned the interior whilst preserving the neoclassicism of the original building.

The structure was built in 1903 by architect Martin Borch and is located next to Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Tivoli and the Central Station. Originally intended for an insurance company, it later became home to the Danish Academy of Music. “This is a fantastic building with high ceilings, plenty of space and beautiful details,” says Joakim Lyth, architect and office manager at Wingårdhs in Malmö.

The new hotel features 70 rooms, a spa and fitness centre, meeting rooms and a restaurant. Much of it has been custom-designed to realise the mission of providing a warm and relaxed hotel environment. “Danish classicism, which the Nobis Hotel Copenhagen building is a fine example of, is something special,” says architect Gert Wingårdh. “In the main building, we’ve been delicate and respectful, emphasising every detail of the original architecture and decor, adding superior quality natural materials such as various marbles, stone, wood and glass, with a subtle colour scale, accentuated with beautiful deep greens.”

Trio in southern Sweden

Wingårdhs has recently won a number of high-profile competitions, with three of the projects based in southern Sweden. Together with AART Architects in Denmark, the firm will develop Lund’s new school Hedda Anderssongymnasiet. “With around 2,000 students, this will be one of Sweden’s largest schools,” explains Lyth. “The size brings certain challenges and we want the students to feel at home and safe in a peaceful and fun environment.”

In Malmö, Wingårdhs is creating a new office for Lantmännen, Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products. According to Lyth, the proposal commits to the client’s green DNA and long-term goals. “This is an interesting assignment with plans for Lantmännen’s expansion in a sustainable building that will last for a hundred years. And the area is exciting too, with one foot by the dock and one foot in the city.”

Together with Midroc Property Development, Wingårdhs is also transforming the Hyllie neighbourhood in Malmö. Divided into seven blocks with different identities and functions, the area offers both private accommodation and public activities – even a microbrewery – joined by a green space. Lyth expands: “Malmö City has specific requirements on sustainability and social inclusion. With this project, we will create a green space that adds what Hyllie is missing today; clear public spaces embraced in greenery, a place where people feel welcome.”

Facts about Wingårdhs:
Wingårdhs was founded in 1977 and is an architecture firm with 225 employees: 138 in Gothenburg, 55 in Stockholm and 32 in Malmö. The firm designs everything from small private homes to shopping centres, office blocks and public buildings. The teams work with new builds, renovation projects and add-ons. Sustainability is one of the firm’s areas of expertise and it believes in long-term societal development.

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