The Cinnober multi-family housing block is one of the final additions to the newly developed area Kvillebäcken in Gothenburg, Sweden. The project consists of a variety of apartments with one to four rooms, where space efficiency and high quality has been in focus. To enhance social sustainability, meeting places play a central role in the project. For instance, a glass roof reveals the residents’ shared facilities including a laundry lounge, boardroom, common living room and roof terrace. In the courtyard, wooden sculptures invite to both play and rest. And along the facade facing the main street, space for commerce on ground floor activates the street and makes it lively.

Sweco Architects won the architectural competition and completed the programme documents, project planning documents, building permit and construction documents for the project.

Additions to Kvillebäcken is intended to contribute with an urban character without competing with the city centre of Gothenburg, which is only three kilometres away. Kvillebäcken is characterised by the meeting between contemporary housing blocks and 40’s dwellings with lower density; a meeting which is emphasised by the yellow bricks that are used throughout the area. The Cinnober block’s tall gables of yellow bricks are key for the building’s connectedness to its surroundings. Further, the eight floors tall glass wall towards the street ties the building volumes together and acts as shelter for wind and noise. Behind it lies the courtyard with greenery and a wooden deck with varied levels. Private balconies in connection to the residents’ living rooms surround the courtyard and catch the afternoon sun. Moreover, access balconies facing the street give additional semi-private space next to one’s own entrance.

Principal architect: Kajsa Crona Team: Catrine Andersson, Richard Bergquist, Pirkko Lampila, Eamon Keane, Margareta Diedrichs, Anna Brunow, Emma Matton, Åke Fornander, Johan Kågesjö, My Lekberg, Linda Ekman, Emelie Melin