Vällingby Centrum, Stockholm

The vision was to renew the centre through a deliberate balance between history and future – accommodating both heritage and commercial imperatives in order to secure another fifty years of relevance. In collaboration with Svenska Bostäder and the City of Stockholm, White developed a detailed development plan and a comprehensive quality programme. The area’s cultural significance and historical evolution were meticulously documented, forming the foundation for all new interventions.

The strategy built upon the original urban structure, maintaining direct pedestrian flows to shops from streets and public squares. Commercial requirements for level paving and generous, open shopfronts were carefully reconciled with the preservation of heritage values.

White was also responsible for landscape planning and design, as well as the development of two sub-areas incorporating parking structures, retail premises and housing. The practice’s environmental department initiated what, upon completion in 2009, was northern Europe’s largest ground-source heat pump installation. White additionally developed the signage programme for the new sections of Vällingby City.

The project process was marked by broad consensus and a shared long-term vision – an approach that underpinned sustainable urban development both culturally and economically.