Äppelträdgården Estate

Äppelträdgården is an antidote to the drab high-rise towers of Göteborg’s Frölunda, contributing to a more diverse housing stock for families with children. Acting as client and architect allowed a greater focus on long-term social and environmental investment; 75 award-winning homes with lasting potential.

Architecture for life

One of today’s most pressing issues is how to develop and renew our city suburbs. Västra Frölunda is a large housing estate, made up of small apartments in high-rise tower blocks built under the Miljonprogrammet; a 1960/70s government initiative to build one million affordable homes in Sweden. More than 29% of the population here is over 65 years old. To achieve a more balanced and sustainable population mix, the local authority wanted to diversify the area’s housing stock to ensure that families with children stay, or move, to Frölunda.

Äppelträdgården was specifically designed to address this need through the provision of mixed-tenure family homes. Exceptional design and environmental credentials futureproof the scheme for generations to come.

Client: KB Skolmössan (FO Peterson & Söner Byggnads AB and White Arkitekter)
Location: Göteborg, Sweden
Status: Completed 2011
Units: 75
Environmental certification: Miljöbyggnad Silver
Awards: Bostadspriset 2011
Visuals: Kalle Sanner, Hans Wretling

The process began by asking the question; how do you create a desirable neighbourhood on an empty plot of land with no discernible identity?

Äppelträdgården consists of four small neighbourhoods grouped around streets, designed to foster a sociable community. The scheme comprises of 75 apartments; 40 rental units in terraces and 35 owner-occupier dwellings homes across a set of townhouses. The two-storey scheme has an inherently human scale, connecting residents to the street and each other. Kitchens and living rooms are placed at the front of each home facing the street, making it easy for neighbours to meet. Each street is designed as a semi-pedestrianised area; the end of each street opens up into a communal green space, ideal for children to play in, or for neighbours to get together over a meal.

Äppelträdgården is an inspirational example that completes a Miljonprogram estate. It is a positive addition that boosts the environment with its two-storey scale and self-contained identity, contrasting and enriching the city’s tower blocks.

2011 Bostadpriset jury panel

One of the fundamental qualities of Äppelträdgården is the close contact to the outdoors and green space. In addition to the communal end-of-street green spaces, ground floor gardens are accessible to all and contribute to an active street frontage. These green spaces are the ideal spot to put out pots, tables and chairs to create inviting, individual patio gardens. Windows frame views across the apple groves and neighbourhood, while considered planning allows for each home to converse with its surroundings, helping establish an increased sense of security.

The gold standard

Not only was the Apple Orchard awarded a Miljöbyggnad Guld rating for environmental design, but it was also the recipient of the 2011 Bostadpriset, the highest accolade awarded by Sveriges Arkitekter for residential design.

Façades and roofs are covered with coloured fibre cement sheet shingles that protect against rain and high winds. The rich, natural colours of the cladding were designed to delight residents in the tower blocks, as well as to establish a strong identity for Äppelträdgården.