In 2014 Mandaworks, in corporation with Adept, wins first prize winning with their proposal ‘Royal Neighbour’, located on the waterfront of Stockholm’s Royal Seaport. The jury of the prestigious invited architectural competition appointed the proposal as the winner from a selection of three pre-qualified teams. 

After two years of hard work with the new city development Kolkajen - part of the Royal Seaport project in Stockholm - the updated project has been released for public consultation. Work continues after the summer with the goal of a building start in 2018!

‘Royal Neighbour’ maximises the potential of Hjorthagen’s existing conditions by connecting them to the water with an exciting collection of public spaces. Combining the qualities of the surrounding context: a cultural axis, a National Park and the Royal Seaport’s waterfront, the proposal forms a highly connective network of places that take full advantage of sun, water and built context. The central Water Arena will form the main magnet, an inviting water space the whole of Stockholm. The 15 hectare site will house 2000 dwelling units, offices and commercial program.

The waterfront of Hjorthagen has long been used as a tool of industry. For almost 100 years the three parts of the waterfront:  Kolkajen , Tjärkajen and Ropsten played a role in managing, storing and processing the mountains of coal that fed Stockholm’s Gasworks. Today, modernisation of energy production has rendered the Gasworks obsolete, and the area represents a fresh opportunity to redefine Stockholm’s relationship with the water. 

Our proposal ’Royal Neighbour’ finds root in the site’s most important  existing conditions, the extension of the mixed used development Brofästet, the axis of the Cultural Gasworks, and the connection to Ropsten Metro station, a direct and vital link to downtown Stockholm. The plan is composed of three pieces: Kolkajen’s Balcony, Tjärkajen’s Terraces and the Ropsten Plateau. Each developed with its own character and identity derived from its context, history and function in the new fabric. 

Kolkajen’s Balcony is a direct extension of the urban fabric out into the water. The balcony is formed by a clear block structure that reaches out, taking full advantage of park and waterfront views. The new land mass links to the existing coast with a canal, bringing new water qualities to the neighbourhood. The balcony is directly connected to the National State park to the North, and houses a sailing marina, for boats wishing to navigate Stockholm’s archipelago, on the East side.

Tjärkajen’s Terraces sits at the termination point of Stockholm’s Gasworks axis. Our proposal maintains a clear line Eastwards, framing the water with the use of historic buildings and terraced public spaces. The use of the long south facing edge of Kolkajen’s Balcony creates a sunny, pleasant and active urban edge. Long stepped spaces bring people down to the water, allowing them to enjoy a refreshing swim or waterside coffee. A pedestrian bridge at the end of the terraces links the North and South sides of the site.

The Ropsten Plateau houses most of the density on site with a block structure divided with strong connecting streets. The clear street lines stretch across the plan, linking key places and creating distinct view lines.  The plateau has a rich mix of urban functions such as hotels, offices, commercial activities and a transit hub that generates an urban intensity that feeds life into the public realm.

The three ‘neighbourhoods’ are stitched together with a collection of bold public spaces that relate to the unique history of the site, have been designed to maximise microclimate opportunities and extend an invitation to the City of Stockholm to experience and enjoy the Royal Seaport’s magnificent waterfront. The main draw of the area, the Water Arena, is located at the terminus of the Gasworks cultural axis. Embracing its waterfront position and encouraging Stockholmers to reconnect with the City’s coastal pleasures.

Collectively, the diverse contexts of the site allow for a mixture of typologies and unit sizes. The building opportunities around spaces like the water arena, canal, parks and metro station create a typology range from 4 storey canal apartments to an 18 storey waterfront high-rise. The diverse building options encourage a range of ages, lifestyles and income levels.

The urban fabric of the site is tied together with a robust cycling infrastructure that uses clear biking lanes, plentiful parking places both inside and outside, and easy transfer points to make cycling the easiest and most convenient transportation option. The plan structures a flexible framework that can adapt to changing scenarios, increasing or decreasing in density depending on need, while maintaining  a connected and thriving street life.

Mandaworks and ADEPT Architects received first prize and a continued commission to develop the main public spaces and development plan. The Jury appointed the team’s proposal ’Royal Neighbour’ as the winner from a selection of three pre-qualified teams.