HOTEL

HOTEL, KALMAR 
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PUBLIC BUILDING IN RELATION TO HISTORICAL SURROUNDINGS 
2017-2019
SANDELLSANDBERG

With the clear intention of relating respectfully to the historical surroundings in Kalmar, this hotel was developed in close dialogue with the city. The design of the public space around the new building creates a new place, a connection between the old city next to the train station and the new university campus being built on the other side of the street. Much of the process, beyond development of design-concept, addressed the organization of functions in this public space, and finding an architecture that responds to the pragmatic demands of a functioning hotel. Through careful consideration of orientation of the volume the proposal preserved the existing warehouse and alterations were suggested that would facilitate public functions here too.

Questions/potential development: Place-making and integration of new architecture in a cityscape
What does it actually take to activate a new place in a city? Would it be possible to suggest the proposed square could be something ” more” than itself? What could a possible additional ingredient that also addresses the looming threat of flooding activate? What does a new building “give back” in such a central setting?

Who is the target audience here? How do we build in relation to something that does not exist yet? What can the building be in the future, if a hotel becomes irrelevant? What is important to guard in a historical context under development? What possibilities do we communicate (insist upon?) to real estate developers?