Background
The Varvsstaden district in Malmö represents the city’s impressive transformation journey, where the former shipyard site is being converted into a modern and sustainable neighborhood. Through an ambitious plan for redesign and development, the old industrial area has become a symbol of sustainable urban planning and environmentally friendly urbanism.
The building known as Gjuteriet constitutes a significant part of this transformation journey, with a history dating back to 1910 when it was built to cast machine parts for the shipyard’s vessels and bridges. Over the years, the building has been adapted to new needs and functions, and today it stands transformed into a modern office building. The transformation of Gjuteriet in Malmö was designed by architect Kjellander Sjöberg.
Assignment
Efterklang has been responsible for the acoustic design of Gjuteriet. During the early construction phase, we also implemented vibration monitoring to help preserve the old building structure and façade, seamlessly integrating it with the new construction.
The building serves as the new headquarters for Swedish food company Oatly, which aimed to merge its corporate culture and sustainability values with a tailored work environment. One of the desires was to create an open and cohesive atmosphere within the building, with visible wood and metal framework and large open spaces spanning from floor to ceiling. These elements have all played significant roles in shaping the acoustic design. Gjuteriet now houses spaces and rooms for various purposes, including exhibition areas, restaurant, and office spaces.
Result
Each area has its own specific needs and requirements concerning acoustics and sound environment. To meet these varied demands, Efterklang has considered different sound-absorbing and -reflecting materials and designed the sound environment to harmonize with the visual design of the building. The character and expression of the building have been preserved, while the acoustic environment now corresponds to the building’s new function as a modern office space.
