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Swedish architecture a source of inspiration throughout the ages The heyday of Swedish architecture was in the 1920s, when the building style was called Swedish Grace. The Swedish style was considered simple and elegant, with pleasant forms. The style is still in vogue. Today's architecture gets its inspiration from the first decades of the century. Swedish style is praised by the foreign press. It was the editor of the British publication Architectural Review who coined the phrase Swedish Grace. But the roots of Stockholm's architecture go back much further than that. The town's oldest building, Birger Jarl's Tower, dates from the 13th century. The history of the city's architecture is well-preserved since Stockholm was spared the destruction of two World Wars. Gamla Stan, the oldest part of Stockholm, has a genuine architectural environment. The foundations of today's city plan were laid in the 17th century when the malms were formed. These were certainly very rural well into the 19th century. When the number of people moving into Stockholm increased considerably at the end of the 19th century, an intensive building phase began. Jugend, rationalism and classicism were common styles around the turn of the century (1900). It was during this period that Ragnar �stberg built Stockholm's world-famous City Hall. The Swedish Grace style, which attracted so much attention between 1900 and 1930, emphasized detail. Architects co-operated with craftspeople and artists in wood, glass, textiles and metal. Beautiful design was to be found in buildings from the beginning of the century. There were stylish entrances with well-formed gates and doors, and elegant handles and banisters. One of the earliest examples of Swedish Grace is Liljevalch's art gallery, designed by Carl Bergsten. Asplund's world-famous Stockholm Public Library marks the transition to modernism. The heyday of the Swedish Modern style, or functionalism, was the 20s and 30s. Districts such as G�rdet and Slussen were built at this time. The 60s were a controversial period of Stockholm's architectural history. Prevailing tendencies and trends contributed to large parts of the 19th century Klara quarter in the City being demolished. An unprecedented scandal, according to many, while others pointed out that the wave of demolition was an architectural phenomenon in itself. Current architecture in Stockholm has returned to the Swedish Modern style. Buildings in the St.Erik district and Hammarby harbour district are characterised by discriminating and refined architecture which could easily be described as 90s functionalism. Millesg�rden's new sculpture gallery, with a minimalist feel, designed by Celsing Architects, was awarded the Kasper Salin prize in 1999. The construction of the Stockholm underground, which is famous for being the world's longest work of art, commenced in the 40s. Many Swedish designers and architects have left their mark on stations all over the city. The most recent extension was in the 70s. |
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