Stockholm

Architect and designer Jason Wadhwani takes us on a tour of the Swedish capital, and its comfortable injection of warmth into Brutalist structures

- Jason Wadhwani

Stockholm has always been on my travel bucket list, due to my complete obsession with the whole Scandinavian/Nordic discipline of design. So, when I got an opportunity to visit the city for the first time this year, I was unarguably excited to experience this veritable smorgasbord of Brutalist architecture, warm and cozy townhouses and contemporary art spaces, interjected with a few church spires.

The winters in the Nordic country are long and chilly, which influences a lot of their design principles and ideas. The interiors of most spaces, no matter how contemporary or traditional, are imbibed with a lot of warmth and coziness, borrowing from the Danish concept of’ ‘Hygge’ (a feeling of conviviality and warmth). Having been to Copenhagen a few days before Stockholm, I found this to be a noticeable similarity between the two.

Here are a few of my recommendations of must-see architecture spots in the city:

STOCKHOLM PUBLIC LIBRARY

This striking orange building designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund may appear deceivingly simple on the outside, but on closer observation, one can notice beautiful design details like the Greek motifs lining the exterior doorway. Upon entering, visitors are welcomed into an expansive space that is guaranteed to leave any bibliophile in awe. Another design highlight in the building is the industrial-style water fountain in a corner overlooking a lush forest.

BANK OF SWEDEN

If this building gives you the impression of being an impenetrable iron box, you’re not alone. That was, in fact, the intention of architect Peter Celsing. Clad in black granite with deeply recessed windows, this building can seem extremely intimidating, but there is beauty in the way the granite slabs are fixed on the façade, which resembles crumpled paper. This is another great example of detailing in Scandinavian design.