Adding value to historic sites through creative architectural solutions
Published on: November 22, 2024
Transforming existing structures into modern, functional spaces while preserving their historical and cultural essence is both a challenge and an art. This delicate balance is achieved through a thoughtful approach that honours the past while addressing present-day needs.
At Sweco, transformation architecture covers everything from complete redevelopments to delicate restorations. Each project begins by assembling a team tailored to the site’s unique needs, combining expertise in sustainability, architectural history and building technology. Our architects, structural engineers, archaeologists and antiquarians collaborate to ensure each environment is handled thoughtfully, blending functional modern requirements with preservation.
“We aim to create an identity that draws inspiration from its past. You have to respect the building’s history and key qualities and use them to activate a potential that brings the story to life,” says Bjørn Mogensen, Market Manager and Creative Leader, Transformation & Renovation at Sweco Denmark.
Our transformation services include consulting, analysis, conservation programs and site inspections. Whether it’s a well-known historic building or a lesser-known cultural landscape, we recognise each site’s deep ties to its surroundings. Transformation is a nuanced process that respects what exists while creatively envisioning what could be.
“The issue is rarely about preserving the integrity of historic heritage, that’s a given; it’s more about reviving the narrative of the original building and then expanding upon it to connect with the present day,” Mogensen adds.
Below, you can find a selection of some of our recent transformation projects.
Inside the transformation of Købmagergade 42
Timmerfabriek: Maritime legacy meets modern design
The Timmerfabriek, a former ship carpentry workshop on the historic Wilton Fijenoord shipyard site in Schiedam, has been transformed into a modern office space for offshore engineering firm GustoMSC. Sweco’s architects, working alongside GustoMSC and ABT, reimagined the 9,500-square-metre industrial building, balancing preservation with functionality to meet contemporary office needs.
Preserving industrial character
The three-storey Timmerfabriek retains its unique industrial essence. Large open floors, a striking central atrium, and generous glass façades create a light-filled, expansive interior. Built entirely from concrete, the building’s distinctive shell roof, industrial maintenance bridges, and original skylights highlight its maritime heritage. Sweco’s redesign preserves these authentic features while modernising the space.
Adaptation for modern use
The redesign embraces flexibility and comfort. A new intermediate floor transforms the seven-metre-high ground level into a functional space, housing parking for 50 cars and central office facilities. A large staircase leads to the atrium, the heart of the building, where the company restaurant and meeting areas are located. Two open staircases connect the atrium to upper floors, which are enclosed by glass to minimise noise and ensure safety. Freestanding volumes house private spaces, while workstations remain open yet tranquil, thanks to acoustic partitions.
Design with maritime roots
Neutral tones of white, grey, and concrete dominate the interior, complemented by wooden accents referencing the building’s original function. Steel-blue hues and a green courtyard restaurant add warmth and vitality. The integration of concealed systems and sustainable upgrades ensures a clean, energy-efficient environment, demonstrating the success of a collaborative design process.
GustoMSC’s new office embodies a harmonious blend of history, functionality, and modernity in a truly unique setting.
Hotel Blique by Nobis: A modern oasis rooted in history
Sweco’s architects have reimagined a 1930s office building, originally designed by the celebrated architect Sigurd Lewerentz, into Hotel Blique by Nobis—a modern hotel and social hub in Stockholm’s Hagastaden district. This transformation balances the building’s industrial heritage with contemporary functionality, preserving its essence while introducing new purpose.
The property was initially created for Philips’ radio and lighting operations but had fallen into disrepair. Sweco’s winning competition proposal brought new life to the site, envisioning it as a hotel and commercial space. Key to the design was maintaining Lewerentz’s vision while meeting modern requirements. The courtyard, once segmented, is now an interconnected space featuring restaurants, a hotel lobby and a rooftop terrace open to the public.
Honouring the past, building for the future
Sweco prioritised sustainability throughout the project. Original windows were upgraded with energy-efficient glass and materials were chosen for environmental performance. Heritage features like raw concrete surfaces and sawn joists were preserved, emphasising the building’s industrial charm.
Collaboration across disciplines
Sweco’s team worked closely with designers, conservation experts and surveyors to ensure the transformation respected the building’s cultural significance. Their careful attention to detail resulted in a timeless design that bridges historical authenticity with modern hospitality, creating a unique and welcoming space for visitors and locals alike.
KA23: Preserving Oslo’s architectural heritage with circular principles
Kristian Augusts gate 23 (KA23), situated near Oslo’s Royal Palace and National Theatre, has been transformed from a 1951 office building into a modern workspace while retaining its historical character. Designed by the influential architects Bjerke and Eliassen, KA23 originally served as the headquarters for the Norwegian Employers’ Association. The rehabilitation, launched in 2019, focused on preserving the building’s unique features while adhering to circular design principles.
The project retained key architectural elements like the marble walls, dark wood panelling, terrazzo tiles and stucco lustro-treated walls. These choices weren’t solely aesthetic but driven by a commitment to sustainability, making KA23 Norway’s first protected-status building to be rehabilitated with circular principles.
The process wasn’t without challenges. Adding new floors required piling 22 metres into bedrock, while materials were delivered through closed streets using a mobile tower crane. Demolition work was complicated by hidden asbestos and structural elements, all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through meticulous planning, 80 per cent of materials were reused, and over half of the newly added elements were designed for future reuse. Original teak windows were restored, ceilings raised and the facade cleaned, while green roofs were installed. Inside, the exposed raw concrete contrasts beautifully with preserved historical features, showcasing a seamless blend of heritage and modernity.
KA23 now stands as a pioneering example of sustainable building transformation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 per cent compared to new construction.
Historic Carlsberg warehouse reborn as modern office hub
The historic Rød Lagerbygning in Carlsberg Byen is undergoing a remarkable transformation, turning a dilapidated red-brick warehouse into a modern office space for around 400 employees. Located near Carlsberg’s headquarters and other iconic sites, the building features hand-painted brick façades adorned with detailed cornices and decorative elements. Despite its deteriorated state, it stands as a significant architectural landmark, which the project aims to honour while adapting it for contemporary use.
To meet modern needs, the building’s roof will be replaced with a glass superstructure, providing a full additional floor. This innovative design solution maximises natural light, ensuring a bright and healthy environment for employees. The superstructure will also include a south-facing terrace and a rooftop terrace, offering outdoor spaces to enhance workplace well-being.
The transformation carefully reinterprets the original masonry façades. The north façade, partially demolished in the past, will be rebuilt with large arched windows, merging historical character with modern functionality. Additional windows in existing walls will further improve lighting and usability throughout the building.
The protected two-level basement, with its striking vaulted corridors, will also be revitalised. Secondary functions such as showrooms will be introduced, maintaining the unique architectural features while ensuring practicality.
This project exemplifies the balance of preservation and innovation, blending the building’s historic qualities with a forward-looking design approach. Rød Lagerbygning’s transformation honours its past while creating a sustainable, functional space for the future.
