Click above image to enlarge

Following up on our recent article announcing the finalists of the Slussen urban redesign competition, and news that Lord Norman Foster was awarded Prince of Asturias award, today it was announced that Foster + Partners have been selected. Images and text have been provided by the architects…

Foster + Partners and Berg Arkitektkontor, part of C.F. MÃ¸ller Architects, have been appointed to design a masterplan for the heart of Stockholm, transforming the waterfront area of Slussen from an urban aberration to a popular destination. The proposal will bring new life to the area, linking the islands of SÃ¶dermalm and Gamla Stan and stripping away the layers of history to reclaim a valuable city quarter.

Click above image to enlarge

For so long separated by a maze of roads and acres of concrete, the two waterfronts will be linked by a new footbridge and the historic lock will be revealed once more to provide a symbol for the areaâ€™s regeneration. The masterplan re-establishes the waterfront to give SÃ¶dermalm a new face. While contemporary in concept, the buildings that form the new city blocks continue the grain and scale of the adjacent urban quarter, retaining the long street views to the water and defining new public squares and extensive waterfront promenades. Their flexible nature allows for a rich mixture of uses, from culture and entertainment to shops and hotels, while the uninterrupted pedestrian quayside incorporates terraces, and promenades served directly by new cafÃ©s and restaurants.

Click above image to enlarge

At the heart of the new Slussen is an elegant footbridge, which fuses straight and S-shaped decks to complete the missing link in the north-south pedestrian route across central Stockholm. The historic Katarinahissen will also be renovated and extended to serve the quayside level, with a new observation deck built at its top to offer spectacular views over the cityâ€™s archipelago.

Click above image to enlarge

Reversing the dominance of the car, the scheme gives priority to pedestrians and cyclists. A new transport interchange is incorporated that allows easy pedestrian circulation between an upgraded metro station, bus station and the port quayside. A new lightweight, transparent structure with kiosks, a cafÃ© and bicycle parking will also be created in front of the City Museum to provide street-level entrance to the naturally lit pedestrian mall and transport hub below.

Click above image to enlarge

Spencer de Grey, Head of Design at Foster + Partners, said:

â€œIâ€™m delighted that we have been appointed to design the masterplan for Slussen to revitalise this most important area for future generations to enjoy. This is a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the links between Stockholmâ€™s central islands of SÃ¶dermalm and Gamla Stan, to repair the fabric of the city and to create a lively new destination that can be enjoyed at all times of the day and night.â€

Click above image to enlarge