Hammarby IP

In April of 2018, Hammarby IP, locally known as Kanalplan, was re-opened after two years of rebuilding. The Kanalplan upgrade was made possible by the City of Stockholm's major investment into its sports facilities. This major investment strategy would see important local community infrastructure like Kanalplan receive the Swedish Standard.

AIX Arkitekter were tasked with a redesign to expanded arena. Increasing capacity and meeting the demands to allow its use in the Swedish womens national league. The arena is intended to become the home of Swedish championship contenders Hammarby IF's women's football team.

The refurbishment was to have a significant impact on the league and community as a whole. The goal within AIX was to meet the clients demands while creating a sustainably mindful, top class  football arena. The best in the Swedish women's football league.

With our knowledge of the built cultural heritage, we contribute to a more sustainable society by creating long-term, functional and beautiful environments.

The concept for the arena and the placement of public stands starts by the analyses of the city plan grid and the natural contours and heights of the street that leads to the stadium. The street Södermannagatan, when reaches in the sport area, becomes “the great bridge”, that connects the public stands with the city, and invites all the residents to participate and involve themselves in the sport activities. This sport complex has also a community purpose, not only to promote women sport, but to involve the people in Stockholm into healthy sport activities and increase the democratic participation, by allowing everybody to be a part of the events.

In the surroundings, many examples of traditional Swedish timber buildings can be found. The old existing club house, that flanks the great bridge in the entrance of the arena, is a beautiful example of a two-floored timber construction. The club house is integrated as one more element in the stadium composition. We analyzed all this information and translated it into the contemporary new public stands that compose the arena, built with modern timber techniques.   

The new arena holds 1037 seats spread over two fixed stands and can accommodate for 500 standing places on the mobile platform. The arena is also, now equipped with a new accessible entrance and accessible lifts for those who previously could not enter and enjoy.

Facilities located within the scope of the arena redesign contain changing rooms for athletes and referees, medical and media rooms, secretariat offices, TV broadcasting boxes, kiosks, toilets and a balcony for a TV camera.

District heating was also installed on the main stand and field to facilitate training during winter. In addition to the grand stand and its facilities, the football arena has received upgraded ground lighting, artificial turf and an athletics track along its far side.

Lead Architect: Klas Eriksson

Architect Team: Lars Johansson, Dario Marazuela, Yvan Ikhlef, Antonius van Arkel, Anne Lagerheim, Anders Scherman