Fågelsångens School and Sports Hall is located in the municipality of Salem. The placement, along a lively pedestrian route, required careful consideration of both the character of the site and the people who pass through here daily. The buildings are not only functional but also designed to promote safety and community. The result is circular structures with an architecture that has no “rear sides.” Every part of the school building faces the central atrium, contributing to a cohesive and inclusive environment.

The project has a complex program that resulted in a school building with six split-levels and a basement. It was important to create an indoor environment free from long corridors and hidden corners in order to reduce the risk of bullying and, instead, encourage social interaction. Here, there are rooms in sequence rather than corridors, which ensures that all spaces are open and light, and that the different parts of the building interact with one another.

The library is a clear example of this. By creating an open and inviting room, books and reading take center stage, making the library a natural gathering point. The flexible dining hall functions both as a cafeteria and an auditorium, with a tiered design that allows it to easily be transformed into a gathering space for various activities and events. The entire school building is designed to be adaptable and change over time to meet evolving needs.

In terms of materials and color scheme, the goal was to create a calm and harmonious atmosphere. Colors and materials in natural tones are used throughout the school building, with no white walls to create a more subdued and welcoming feel.

The sports hall is strongly focused on physical activity. By dividing the hall with the spectator entrance on one side and changing rooms on the other, clear and functional flows are created. The hall serves as both a place for sports and gathering. The warm tones in the hall, with cherry wood walls, create an inviting and acoustically optimal environment. From the outside, one can look into the hall through windows at ground level, and from the inside, view the surrounding parkland and forest.

The project was carried out in collaboration with Sandell Sandberg.

Photography by Åke E:son Lindman.