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A historical jewel

Bobergstorget public square

The gasworks at Stockholm Royal Seaport supplied energy for heating, lighting and cooking to the population around Stockholm for a more than a century. Now it is a vibrant cultural centre, situated in a preserved industrial environment.

View from above of a square where a young man is sitting on a wooden bench and talking to a person standing in front of him.

Facts about the project

  • Client

    City of Stockholm

  • Place

    Stockholm, Sweden

  • Status

    Completed

  • Photographer

    Jan Lipka

Two adults and a child sitting on a wooden bench in a square with an older brick house in the background.
Square with wooden benches and older brick houses all around.

Gasverket at Stockholm Royal Seaport – a piece of industrial history

Since the 1970s, the City of Stockholm has considered how Gasverket, the old gasworks area situated at Stockholm Royal Seaport and adjacent to the Royal National City Park, could be utilised to meet the future needs of residents and visitors. Gas production finally ceased in 2011, leaving the industrial area abandoned – but with enormous potential. Within the space of a decade, Gasverket went from being closed off to the public, to being a local centre and visitor destination, in a preserved industrial environment.

Architectural heritage area

The buildings at Gasverket mostly date from the end of the 19th century and the architect behind the most significant buildings in the area Ferdinand Boberg, gave his name to the square, Bobergstorget. Gasverket is 15,000 m2 in total and has a collection of around 30 different units, the most prominent of which are the two cylindrical gasometers: 50 metres high and with a diameter of 50 metres. Connecting the entire area is the restored overhead line that marks the production line from manufacturing to storage. The whole area is a piece of industrial history where large parts of the district are reused, retaining their unique character.

The heart of the area

Bobergstorget is the central point and the largest public space, connecting streets and alleys. Inaugurated in May 2022, the square is paved with a decorative brick that reflects the history of the area. There are also long benches with tables and a water mirror.

Large volumes of stone were salvaged in connection with the remediation and could be reassembled. In this way, the need for quarrying new stone and its transportation was radically reduced.

 

  • View from the sky down to a square where two people are sitting on a wooden bench.
  • View from above of a long wooden table with wooden benches on the sides where four people are sitting scattered.
  • View from above of a long wooden table with benches of different sizes made of wood on the sides where two people are sitting and talking.
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Pattern inspired by textiles

Bobergstorget has brick covering that relates to the material used in most buildings in the area. The brick has been laid out in a clear pattern inspired by modern textiles and is complemented by sturdy outdoor furniture, for general use. Gasverket is a fine example of how an industrial heritage area can be transformed, while preserving historical values.