Nationalmuseum | Wingårdhs

Nationalmusuem is the protector of Sweden’s most precious pieces of art and antiquities, it is one of the most visited museums in the country and it is a large workplace. The magnificent building on Blasieholmen peninsula in the middle of Stockholm was built after the design of Friedrich August Stüler from Berlin and opened in 1866. An endless row of changes have been forced to the building since. It is understandable, as the museum neither had electricity, ventilation, lavatories or canteen to begin with. Contemporary requirements for indoor climate in museums have made large parts of the building unsuitable for paintings. The technology needs to be replaced, but the recovery of the original architecture is an equally important task.

We were commissioned by the National Board of Property to plan the refurbishment of Nationalmuseum together with Erik Wikerstål Architects. All technical systems have been replaced, and the visitors are now able to enjoy the view over the Royal Palace and the art in combination. Most of the qualities of the 19th century as transparency, vistas and a sensitive promenade meet the visitors today. The art and the staff do now operate in state-of-the-art facilities.

Three new qualities are especially worth to mention. First, the innovative glass roofs over the courtyards that dissolve the echo and make the courtyards possible to use for events. Second, the large elevator tower cladded in a veil of patinated brass. Third, the rearrangements that created one large central space of the courtyards and the lobby in the middle.

Project name: Nationalmuseum

Category: Museum

Project start: 2012

Completed project: 2018

Location: Södra Blasieholmskajen, Stockholm, Sweden

BTA: 20 000 sq m

Client: Swedish National Property Board

Architect firm: Wingårdh arkitektkontor AB and Wikerstål arkitekter

Architecture firm’s location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Responsible architect: Gert Wingårdh

Team at Wingårdhs

Senior lead architect: Josefin Larsson

Project architects: Stefano Mangili och Lars Kockum

Project engineers: Andreas Stålberg och Stefan Nilsson

Team at Wikerstål Arkitekter

Senior lead architect: Erik Wikerstål

Project architects: Maria von Porat

General contractor: Skanska

Landscape architect: Landskap Andersson Jönsson AB

Structural engineer: Sweco Structures AB.

Mechanical and plumbing engineer: Bengt Dahlgren AB

Fire safety: Brandskyddslaget

Glazing Consultant: ACC

Acoustics: ÅF, Anna Berglöw

Accessibility: Urban Phil

Lightning: Kardorff Ingenieure Lichtplanung

Building conservation: Tyréns AB

Art conservation: Stockholms målerikonservering, Ewa Björdell