Järla Sjö

A development of 100 000 square metres with 700 houses and flats, 3 000 square meters of workplaces of varying character, a school, several nurseries, offices, shops and restaurants. Järla has become popular as a place to live in, visit and enjoy.

Background

Two internationally known industries moved to Järla aroud 1900. Gustaf de Laval’s turbine industry, established in the 1890ies, and the gas industry AGA shortly afterwards. de Laval vacated their premises in the 1960s leaving behind an extensive range of buildings, mostly of brick, a part of Stockholms industrial heritage. When Oskarsborg AB acquired the site early in 1997, these were still in use by about 70 different firms and organisations. The previous owners architectural competition winning modernist scheme had proposed clearing the site of the main part of the existing buildings.
        Oskarsborg AB asked Håkan Jersenius and Vernon Gracie to develop a new planning proposal and programme, based on other objectives. The new project proposal, were approved by the Nacka Council late in 1998. Småstaden Arkitekter, in which Håkan Jersenius at that time was a partner, became involved in the implementation of the plan.

The Site

Based on the required density of 1:1 and the retention of the existing industrial buildings that formed a matrix into which about 1 500 workplaces and 650 houses and flats in low to medium rise (2-4 floors) groups were woven. The generic courtyard plan form was chosen to give clearly defined boundaries between private, shared and public realms. Its flexibility in terms of function is improved by the housing/industrial building relationship and it makes mixed usage possible. The landscaping was an integral part of our proposals, starting with the retention of existing trees, many of which are mature.
        The early de Laval and Aga workshops were important to preserve and the footprint of earlier facilities, such as playgrounds and the almost buried sauna, influenced the planning layouts at both strategic and local levels. Dwellings with ground contact would have a garden (not an obvious coupling in Sweden) using hedges rather than fences. Concepts that informed the proposals were: a) the edible garden; b) extending the season in each courtyard by the variety of chosen plant material: c) the multifunctional space for play, barbecue party, composting, bicycles, perhaps as an adjunct to an entrance to a courtyard. In the public realm, structure and planting would define place and purpose.
        The public has access generally and particularly all along the lakeside including the bathing jetty, the boardwalks and the pier. During the winter half year, the south facing reflectors on some of the roofs try to make the best of what sunshine there is.

Clients: Oskarsborg AB (for concept and plan). HSB, Riksbyggen and Wihlborgs (for realization of the architecture, landscaping and urban design)
Builder: Peab AB