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PLACE: Helsingborg, Sweden
CLIENT: Kjellgren Kaminsky/Jagaren Fastigheter
TYPE: Row houses
SIZE: 12 units
COMMISSION: Open competition
MATERIALS: Brick façade, concrete construction. Floors in bare concrete and massive oak.
YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2017
LEAD ARCHITECT: Joakim Kaminsky
PROJECT ARCHITECT: Edouard Boisse
DESIGN TEAM: Joakim Kaminsky & Edouard Boisse

The Gustavslund row houses are situated on the edge of the city, where manmade structures beside the sea meet the open farmland of southern Sweden. The building’s massive shape provides much needed shelter from the strong winds. For the design of the row houses, inspiration was taken from the modernistically influenced, brick-building tradition of Helsingborg. And the design concept was modelled after an imagined cube of brick, from which blocks were removed until the final volume of the houses had been achieved. Dark brown brick laid on site dominate the exterior of the structure. Inside, a sheltered atrium courtyard has been provided for each dwelling. A special design feature are the brick railings, which consist of brick walls with every third brick removed - thus giving them a transparent and light expression. The southernmost terrace changes position, creating a rhythm to the building volume and offering a choice to the homeowners between a more western- or southern-facing terrace. Following the main terrace, there is a separate room that can be used as a studio or guest house.

Each row house has the form of an L-shape, with its own atrium courtyard facing the sun towards the west, whereas the eastern street facades are more enclosed. An interesting feature are the garages, which can be opened both towards the street and the courtyard, and thus provide a link between the two. These spaces can be used for garden parties, as hobby rooms, or as shelters for outdoor dinners when it is raining.

When entering a row house, the courtyard is directly visible through the hallway. To the left is the garage, and the kitchen on the right is open towards the living room. A free-standing, open fireplace splits the large open room in two, and large doors with windows face the atrium. There are three bedrooms and two terraces on the second floor.