Why are Nordic countries renowned for their design?

Colorful. Modern. Functional. Nature-focused. These are some of the words I associate with Swedish design. And much like Swedish interior design, the architectural design here is also sleek and minimal, with clean and unadorned lines. Light is a big component (which makes sense with the darkness here) and Swedish design often incorporates or takes inspiration from its natural surroundings. Incorporating nature gives Swedish design a strong sense of welcoming and inclusivity. Swedish design is also a hallmark of sustainability, creating buildings that are energy-efficient, future-focused, and not wasteful.

But seeing in believing when it comes to architecture.

Interested in seeing some of the designs for yourself? Here is where to go and what to see:

Northern Sweden:

• In Kiruna, this golden egg will surely be the most unique public sauna you will ever visit.
• Architect Gustav Wickman’s 1912 Kiruna kyrka (Kiruna church) has been voted Sweden’s most beloved building of all time.
• While you’re up in Kiruna, book a night’s stay at the Treehotel in Swedish Lapland. There are multiple treehouse options and each one is designed so uniquely. It is on my Swedish bucket list!
• If heights aren’t your thing, consider staying at the Icehotel Jukkasjärvi instead. Architecture like you’ve never considered before!

Sweden’s “Center”: OK, Stockholm is a little south of center, but you get the point.

• Visit the Artipelag museum on the island of Värmdö in Stockholm’s archipelago to see how Swedish design takes nature into account.
• It might seem a little strange to recommend a cemetery for a place to observe great architecture, but Skogskyrkogården (the Woodland Cemetery) is just that. It is a Unesco World Heritage site and was designed by renowned Swedish architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz after winning an architect competition in 1915.
• Gunnar Asplund also designed the Stockholm Public Library. While I don’t love the design so much, it is one of Asplund’s most famous works.
• If you visit the campus of Linköping University you will find Europe’s most precise electron microscope covered with titanium plates.
• Uppsala Konsert & Kongress was designed on the outside by Henning Larsen Architects and on the inside by White Arkitekter and its facade is reminiscent of piano keys!

Southern Sweden:

• In Malmö, be sure to see the Turning Torso, the train station at Triangeln, and Emporia mall.
• My favorite building in all of Sweden in the Stadsbibliotek (city library) in Malmö. It has been open since 1905 and is half castle / half glass box (known as the “Calendar of Light” and designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen, who also designed the Copenhagen Opera House. 
• The Wanås Konst and Kivik Art Center are fun sculpture parks that are very enjoyable during a nice day. Be sure to bring a picnic!
• In Gothenburg, visit the elephant sauna.
• In Kristianstad visit the Naturum Vattenriket, Sweden’s first marine national park!

While this list is by no means comprehensive, I hope it serves as an introduction to Swedish architectural design and gives you at least a few places to check out next time you are in Sweden!

• Connecting Malmö and Copenhagen, the 1999 Öresundsbron is an architectural feat in itself. The structure encompasses a tunnel and an artificial island and was designed by COWI. This bridge is the longest cable-tied road and rail bridge and won the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award in 2002.

• Interested in learning more about Sweden’s architectural design? Visit the ArkDes museum in Stockholm!
• There are many design colleges in Sweden if you are interested in joining the movement yourself!
• If you want to experience Swedish design from the comfort of your own couch, check out the coffee table book New Nordic Houses. It is a beautiful book that has amazing pictures of unique Nordic houses and biographies of the designers that created them.

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