“he task demands that we act with humility and respect for the existing and at the same time add a new character and identity to the place. This is our preferred way of working, and projects like this is what makes working as an architect meaningful.”
Dorte Mandrup architect, Founder and Creative Director.
Dorte Mandrup, together with Marianne Levinsen Landskab (landscape architect) and Torbjörn Nilsson (library consultant), have been announced winner of the competition to design a new culture house with library, art hall and café in the center of Karlskrona, Sweden. Due to its unique architectural character and naval past, central parts of the city have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site making the culture house our fifth World Heritage related building.
The culture house is located at the corner of Karlskrona's "Stortorget" central square. The project, meant to become a modern meeting place and hub for several cultural activities, complements its richly historic surroundings also. At 6,000 m², it will comprise of a library and room for different activities such as dance, music, and exhibitions. Visitors will also be able to access a theater hall, an art hall, tourist information, a maker space, study space, and cafe.
Their answer to the diverse program was a design that respectfully plays together with the unique buildings of the city and the square. On the outside, the architects interpret the three-part façade division of the baroque and thus scale down the building's length. Inside, a large, sculptural staircase creates a natural movement through the various levels of the building and connects Stortorget with the city's new viewing platform on the roof of the culture house.
Summer 2018, Karlskrona Municipality invited architecture firms to bid on the task to design a new cultural center in the centre of Karlskrona. Their winning proposal were announced on April 3 and now it will form the basis for the forthcoming detailing and construction of the cultural center, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2021.
The culture house is located at the corner of Karlskrona's "Stortorget" central square. The project, meant to become a modern meeting place and hub for several cultural activities, complements its richly historic surroundings also. At 6,000 m², it will comprise of a library and room for different activities such as dance, music, and exhibitions. Visitors will also be able to access a theater hall, an art hall, tourist information, a maker space, study space, and cafe.
Their answer to the diverse program was a design that respectfully plays together with the unique buildings of the city and the square. On the outside, the architects interpret the three-part façade division of the baroque and thus scale down the building's length. Inside, a large, sculptural staircase creates a natural movement through the various levels of the building and connects Stortorget with the city's new viewing platform on the roof of the culture house.
Summer 2018, Karlskrona Municipality invited architecture firms to bid on the task to design a new cultural center in the centre of Karlskrona. Their winning proposal were announced on April 3 and now it will form the basis for the forthcoming detailing and construction of the cultural center, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2021.
“Karls krona (project’s name, ed.) constitutes a new icon on Stortorget in the form of an elegant interpretation of classical architecture” and “… [the building] has a evident Karlskrona identity”.
Statement Jury.
![Bois de Cergy Leisure Centre by PLURIEL[LES] ARCHITECTES. Photograph by Charly Broyez](/sites/default/files/styles/mopis_home_featured_block_desktop/public/2026-10/metalocus_PLURIEL-LES_Bois-de-Cergy-Leisure-Centre_14_2p.webp?h=3b4e7bc7&itok=lWSYYH2X "Bois de Cergy Leisure Centre by PLURIEL[LES] ARCHITECTES. Photograph by Charly Broyez")
