The new Linnaeus University

Kalmar, Sweden

Arquitectos: Tengbom

Ubicación: Kalmar, Sweden
Año: 2014

A university linked with its location and an attractive new venue in town. That is the vision for the New Linnaeus University, one of Sweden's largest university projects.

The university is currently spread out across the city of Kalmar. By gathering all activities on the quay of today’s guest harbour in central Kalmar, the new Linnaeus University will be more integrated in the city, with students and industry drawn closer together.

Our ambition is to change and enhance the site and creating new meeting places in the city, between students and locals. The vision is a sea shell with a pearl in it. The shell is a robust brick building surround the pearl, a ‘portal building’ built in the classic materials of wood and glass to symbolize the region of Småland. The portal building houses an information desk, library and a café.

Tengbom’s architects wanted to create flexible buildings with durable materials that age beautifully over time. The new Linnaeus University will allow alterations to suit requirements over time in materiality, planning and structure. Its inspiration comes from the famous Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist Carl Linnaeus, whose influence will show in the interior, where each floor will have a theme from Linnaeus’ travels in Sweden.

The new Linnaeus University will be completed in 2020.