Located in Stockholm’s Royal Seaport, one of the city’s largest urban redevelopment areas in the northeast of the Swedish capital, the site has been an industrial area characterized by gas production for over 100 years. In operation until 2004, the site features several distinctive cylindrical gasholders with significant architectural and cultural value, among them are the architect Ferdinand Boberg’s two brick gasometers from the late 1890s. Some gasholders have been preserved and repurposed, while Gasholder4 has been demolished and is to be replaced with a new residential building, named ‘Stadsljus’ (CityLight), with the same height as the former holder.
The residential tower rises 110 meters above sea level and will have a significant impact on Stockholm’s cityscape. Its circular design not only pays homage to the site’s historic gasometers but also contributes to a cohesive family of circular buildings in the former gasworks grounds. With three bundled cylinders, ‘Stadsljus’ becomes the next-generation gasometer within a volume ideally suited for housing.
The residential tower rises 110 meters above sea level and will have a significant impact on Stockholm’s cityscape. Its circular design not only pays homage to the site’s historic gasometers but also contributes to a cohesive family of circular buildings in the former gasworks grounds. With three bundled cylinders, ‘Stadsljus’ becomes the next-generation gasometer within a volume ideally suited for housing.
“With its combination of three cylinders, ‘Stadsljus’ is an interpretation of the historical gasometers from the site. The residential tower not only reflects the essence of its time and purpose but, standing alongside its historic counterparts, forms a harmonious family of gasholders that will grace the Stockholm skyline while enriching its local surroundings.”
Chief architects from Cobe and Yellon, Dan Stubbergaard and Fredric Scherman.
Residential tower at Stockholm’s historic gasworks by Cobe and Yellon. Rendering by Cobe and Yellon.
Housing for people in all phases of lifeThe building contains approx. 300 apartments of various sizes – from space-efficient studios to spacious apartments. 20 percent of the apartments will be offered through a co-ownership model, making it possible for more people to buy a home in ‘Stadsljus’. The design’s three clustered cylinders feature optimal conditions for natural light within each apartment. Its distinctive shape allows for units to face multiple directions, with spectacular panoramic views over Stockholm, while many units have one or more terraces.
“After a thorough and comprehensive process in collaboration with the City of Stockholm, we are now very pleased to present the winning entry for ‘Stadsljus’. The winning team has succeeded in combining contemporary residences and high architectural quality with a strong connection to the culturally and historically valuable site which is the gasworks area. With residences in various sizes and price ranges, ‘Stadsljus’ will become a home for people in all phases of life, and that is how we, as a member organization, want to build homes.”
CEO of OBOS, Daniel Kjørberg Siraj.
Reflecting the contextThe tower is composed of a distinct base, body, and crown, inspired by the surrounding gasometers. An open brick base draws inspiration from the brick facade of the historic Boberg gasholders and contains public functions such as a restaurant and a preschool. Inspired by the rational and repetitive steel skeleton of another nearby gasholder, the body of the tower consists of a modular, three-dimensional metal façade, subtly capturing daylight on its angled surfaces. Finally, the crown is a tribute to the top of the Boberg gasholders with a faceted and pitched roof and a pronounced overhang, making a distinctive mark on Stockholm’s skyline, while featuring solar cells and concealing technical devices.
The construction utilizes a modular and prefabricated façade assembly system, efficient in terms of time, economy, production, and precision. The façade is composed of a modular skeleton containing closed wall panels, windows, doors, and balconies, that allow for various configurations to strike the right balance between variety and rationality while ensuring optimal indoor climate in each apartment.
The construction start is planned for 2026 with occupancy from 2029.
