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a better understanding of the cultures they were born in
its form is inspired by that of the archaic obelisk
which traces its origin back to ancient Egypt
Both the benu bird and the phoenix are linked to the sun
The obelisk's association with the sun guided its construction
raised and positioned in a manner that allowed the first and last light of the day to touch their peaks
Their form and positioning would also enable the structures to be used as sundials
with the movement and size of the shadow indicating the hour of the day
as a memento of his victory over the empire
the act of carrying or replicating these monumental structures—austere in appearance
the demarcators of power and reverence—in foreign lands became symbols that marked conquests
it is surrounded by farmland and a rich rural heritage
It is the youngest municipality and one of the fastest-growing towns in the whole country
In summoning inspiration from the rural heritage cottages of Sweden
while a marker of the infrastructural development of the town
conserves the cultural iconography of the region
"An obelisk is a landmark in its purest form
It is celebratory in its nature and since the idea was to salute the town's rich rural heritage
we decided to be very literal about it and even made the obelisk out of the components that are very synonymous with the countryside: red traditional cottages
The obelisk is a big city typology but the components that it is made of are from a small town—a duality that is just what Knivsta is experiencing at the moment,” shares Swedish architect Ulf Mejergren with STIR
Abstractions of the rural cottages are stacked on top of each other
Scheduled to be constructed in 2024, Kiosk Obelisk is the winning entry from amongst various designs submitted for the competition where designers were invited to create the permanent public installation in Knivsta
Citing the ideas that guided Ulf Mejergren to create the obelisk
"The town is a bit like a big construction site at the moment and some people are against this fast development and fear that the traditional small-town atmosphere will get ruined while other people welcome the changes and want modern high-rises in the city centre
This duality and search for identity was our main drive for creating this permanent artwork." Stationed at one of the most central places in the city
its mien defines the city’s disconcerted sway between the traditional and the modern
In using two contrasting views regarding the extant development
the designers manage to create a design that satisfies
or at least acknowledges everyone’s vision and anticipation
"Our concept was to use two opposites as the main ingredients and create something new from this
to show that it is possible that you can have two ideas of what a place can be like instead of just going in one direction,” Mejergren asserts
“The choice of ingredients became a small-scale typology—a kiosk
and a large-scale typology—an obelisk," he adds
While a kiosk is modest in scale and is a commonly encountered architectural structure in everyday life
The usage of the former salutes the town’s cultural and architectural heritage
and the latter acknowledges and welcomes its current transformation
Apart from serving as a monumental structure, the kiosk—to be built out of wood, with a structural core made out of glulam, and concrete plinths supporting its weight—is also meant to fulfil its traditional function
the structure will welcome people to utilise the space for informal activities—to sell lemonade or cinnamon buns
set up a station as a small public library
or as the centrepoint for announcements and proclamations during important events
The rest of the towering structure is hollow from within
one can witness the core that supports the structure
"The red colour is synonymous with traditional rural cottages in Sweden
where the colour was invented in the 16th century when using byproducts from mining iron
it has become almost a national colour and in many rural parts of the country
there is also a large villa in this same colour that once was a hardware store that is very famous in town.”
The original obelisks in Egypt were constructed out of stone and held erect on the ground with the help of their own weight
although different in materiality and structural composition
while also encompassing cultural references and acknowledging the inhibitions of the people of Knivsta
Apart from serving as a monumental structure
it is a source of certitude for those uncertain of the future—the obelisk's evolutionary history offers a glance into what the progression of a culturally specific entity can look like
and an assurance that change may not necessarily be such a bad thing
Almas forayed into writing to fulfil her nascent aspiration of exploring latent tales and forging immersive narratives
Apart from researching and writing on and about the latest creations and creators from the architecture and design fraternity
she endeavours to explore the socio-political
cultural and temporal factors that impact and are impacted by every kind of design and creative intervention
From vernacular knowledge to modern sustainability
Middle Eastern pavilions serve as living archives of architectural thought
offering fresh frameworks for global adoption
STIR engages with the curators of the Togo
Oman and Qatar pavilions—debuting at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025—on representation
the book presents a fictional story depicting algorithms exercising control over humans and how this affects the built environment
Tipnis shares how the toolbox democratises the practice of restoration via DIY resources to repair tangible urban heritage made of common building materials
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by Almas Sadique | Published on : Apr 08
Navigating through the rapid expansion of the area with modern high-rises erected in the city center
and the appreciation of traditional architecture ruled by the surrounding countryside
the construction merges kiosk typology with an overall obelisk mass
Kiosk Obelisk | all images by Ulf Mejergren
as a metaphor for the transformation of Knivsta
The cottage-like kiosk at the bottom of the structure is intended for various functions
such as a temporary station for kids to sell cinnamon buns and lemonade
or an outdoor library arranged by the municipality
‘Kiosk Obelisk’ revitalizes the square in front of the city hall with lively and convivial interactions
An unlikely pairing of two contradictions in the proposal becomes a new type of breed for public installations
concept diagram – the project merges rural cottage typology and monumental sculptures
section through the site – the tower adorns the newly built square in front of the city hall in Knivsta
visualization of the new square with the new public artwork by Ulf Mejergren
the ascending volume of the Kiosk Obelisk resembles stacked wooden Swedish cottages
the monumental kiosk tower lights up from within
name: Kiosk Obelisk designer: Ulf Mejergren (UMA)
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
Testing has started on BioPhree® and TerraNova® Ultra
which aim to stop waste phosphorus reaching the sea and recycle it as agricultural fertilizer
This is part of a package of pre-commercialization support offered by the EU co-funded project BONUS RETURN
Prashanth Kumar, Aquacare and Berndt Björlenius, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, performing tests at the Aquacare testbed in Knivsta, Sweden. Image: Kristofer Samuelsson
BONUS RETURN is exploring how technologies can turn nutrients causing eutrophication
into profitable and sustainable solutions that can be scaled up in the Baltic Sea region
and introduction to potential markets in the Baltic region
BioPhree captures dissolved phosphorus in water and generates a liquid fertilizer for agricultural use
streams and run-off from fields) and wastewater
It will be tested at a wastewater treatment plant in Knivsta municipality
Baas also hopes the results of the testing will raise awareness on the effect phosphorus has in causing harmful algal blooms in the Baltic Sea
The TerraNova® Ultra technology extracts phosphorus and
another nutrient that causes eutrophication
It also produces a charcoal-like fuel and boosts biogas production from sewage sludge in wastewater treatment plants
TerraNova is currently operating the first plant of this kind in China
TerraNova® Ultra is being tested at the Norrsundet Slamförädling AB pilot plant in Gävle
Prashanth Kumar, researcher from Aquacare, at the Aquacare testbed in Knivsta, Sweden. Image: Kristofer Samuelsson
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Text description provided by the architects. Adolfsbergsskolan is an innovative school building combining an ambitious pedagogical program and high standards for climate smart construction. The school is built as a passive house that fulfills the IGPH international standard. It requires a design free from thermal bridges and a building with an advantageous form factor (the relationship between the enclosing area and floor area).
The building of 8100 m2 is designed for 660 students from grade five to nine. It is situated in a new city district, Alsike Nord, that is currently under development along the railway connecting Stockholm and Uppsala.
© Åke E:son LindmanAll classrooms are larger than normal to provide for a flexible use of the space. By furnishing the classroom in different ways the students can work together in large or small groups or individually and more secluded along the walls. All classrooms are organized around an open square for studying that provides additional opportunities to work individually or in groups as well as the possibility to gather large groups in the big common stairs for lectures or performances.
© Åke E:son LindmanThe interior is designed to enable the whole school to work as a place for learning. Color scheme and selection of materials has been chosen to create a calm and harmonic environment with the best possible acoustics. Wooden paneling in pine, boards of birch and all other materials have been used in their natural color combined with colored features in various green tones.
© Åke E:son LindmanThe exterior of the building is divided vertically by strips of ribbon windows that stretches along all sides of the building
and a wooden facade of vertical larch panels
The facades in larch are fastened without visible screws
The facades facing the main entrance to the east and the schoolyard to the west are characterized by a series of gabled roofs resembling an industrial roof
The wide concrete stairs of the courtyard that connects the entrance with the school yard has scattered wooden benches for sitting
Concrete canopies with circular holes mark the main entrances
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Archive Architecture
9.7.2021 15:53:17 CEST | AF Gruppen ASA | Press release
is building a new central residential district in Knivsta
south of Uppsala on behalf of Genoa and Redito.HMB Construction
south of Uppsala on behalf of Genoa and Redito.The project will be conducted as a turnkey contract with a value of approximately MSEK 210
The project has been developed by Genoa Property Group together with Redito
and consists of 133 leasehold residential properties
It will be the first of three blocks in Segerdal
that will form the town centre that Knivsta currently does not have
The block will consist of two buildings built around a shared courtyard
The ground floor will have both business premises and homes with outdoor sitting and green areas
A mix of small and larger homes will be suitable for young people
pedestrian streets and green corridors are being built
The plans for the district will be ready in 2023
- We have collaborated with Genova in two previous projects
among them the acclaimed residential building Balneum in Gröndal in Stockholm
and look forward to contributing to another successful project
Executive Vice President of AF Gruppen Sverige
The Segerdal project includes two additional blocks
where HMB is currently involved in the design phase
AF Gruppen is a leading contracting and industrial group that was formed by an entrepreneurial spirit and execution capabilities
The group has 6,000 employees and revenue reached NOK 30,6 billion in 2024
AF Gruppen is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange (AFG)
We provide a broad range of services with seven operational business areas: Civil Engineering
www.afgruppen.com
Subscribe to all the latest releases from AF Gruppen ASA by registering your e-mail address below
AF Gruppen has been selected as the contractor by LKF
to build 117 new apartments in the Råbykungen district in Lund
The contract value will be approximately SEK 189 million excluding VAT
the Student Welfare Organization of Vestland
to rehabilitate a residential building in Hatleberg
The agreement is a turnkey contract valued at NOK 146 million excluding VAT
AF Gruppen has entered into an agreement with Storøykilen Utvikling AS
a wholly owned subsidiary of OBOS Fornebu AS
to build blocks 5 and 6 in the residential project Storøykilen at Fornebu in Bærum
The project will be carried out as a turnkey contract
and the contract is valued at NOK 412 million excluding VAT
AF Gruppen has been awarded a contract by Hafslund Celsio for electromechanical work at the Aker Hospital heating plant
The contract is valued at approximately NOK 100 million
has today signed a contract with Bane NOR SF for the upgrade of the Linbanen Snow Shelter on the Ofoten Line
The contract is a construction contract with a value of NOK 122 million excluding VAT
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases
documents and other relevant information about us
Former SKID ROW singer Erik Grönwall has released his "dark and slow" cover version of the EUROPE classic "The Final Countdown"
The official music video for the song was filmed at Noors Slott (Noor Castle),a 14th-century mansion in Knivsta
The English version of Grönwall's autobiography
Life" came out on December 6 via HarperCollins
we follow Erik's journey from his upbringing to the present day: his struggles to make it as an artist
his devastating leukemia diagnosis at the height of the pandemic and his miraculous recovery
The book also delves into how he became the lead singer of the legendary metal band SKID ROW
and the reasons behind his decision to later part ways
This is not just a story about life in the limelight and being a rockstar — it's about staying true to your values
"I never thought I would write an autobiography
let alone at the age of 36," the now-37-year-old Erik said
"But sometimes it feels like I've lived two lifetimes in just a fraction of one
I believe I have something to share that might give hope and inspiration to others who are struggling
Life after illness can actually turn out to be better than ever."
Erik went from auditioning for the competition show "Swedish Idol" back in 2009 by singing a cover of SKID ROW's "18 And Life" to fronting the band 13 years later
Grönwall announced his decision to leave SKID ROW on March 27
saying that he wanted to "prioritize [his] health and full recovery."⠀⠀SKID ROW's longtime friend Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) handled lead vocals for the band's four concerts in late May and early June
The SKID ROW members said in a statement that they are "proud of what they have created and accomplished with Erik over the past two years" and "wish nothing but the best to him and his health."
who was a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T
for nearly a decade before exiting the group in October 2020
announced in September 2021 that he was cancer free after receiving a bone marrow transplant one month earlier
studio albums — "Address The Nation" (2012),"Tearing Down The Walls" (2014),"Into The Great Unknown" (2017) and "H.E.A.T II" (2020)
Grönwall released his new cover version of "18 And Life" via all streaming platforms
for 10 million viewers in NBC's live broadcast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Erik played the key role of Simon Zealotes
SKID ROW released its first single with Grönwall
The song is the title track of the band's latest album
which arrived in October 2022 via earMUSIC
SKID ROW played its first show with Grönwall on March 26
2022 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas
Nevada as the support act on the rescheduled dates for SCORPIONS' "Sin City Nights" residency
a city in Uppsala County in east central Sweden
No big surprises when it comes to safe cities or areas but the unsafe areas are not without surprises
The safest Swedish municipality to live in
That’s the municipality that gets the best review when Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting (the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions) ranks the country’s municipalities on safety
SKL has compared the number of violent crimes
This gives a broad picture of how safe a neighborhood is
the municipalities have a great responsibility when it comes to keeping their areas safe and can be better at this by learning from one another
This will get lots of attention and the leaders in the municipalities are looking through a report like this carefully.” One reason for Öckerö topping the list is that it’s an island community
It has also taken preventative measures in risk management with a special unit which works with police and health care
and analyzes and supports not for profit activities
Concludes Sörman: “These reports are not the answer but a basis for analysis.”
See the SKL report presented here Olyckor kostar 65 miljarder per år (In Swedish only)
The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden
At a press conference on Wednesday morning
the local community police officer in Uppsala and Knivsta
police had brought in additional officers to manage the celebrations and believed that the general public was not at risk
"In all events like this it is important to continue living: that we as a society stick to doing what we had planned to do and trust that the police are there for us," she said
but continue following your plan for the weekend in Uppsala as usual."
READ ALSO: 16-year-old seized on suspicion of involvement in Uppsala shootings
with students starting the day with champagne breakfasts
and holding a traditional raft race down the Fyris river
before visiting traditional Valborg bonfires in the evening
Larsson said that the public should feel comforted by the presence of the "major police resources" which had been active throughout Tuesday night
both preparing for Valborg and handling the aftermath of the shooting
be an "extremely high police presence" around the celebrations
with police marking themselves out by wearing yellow jackets
and this gives a sense of security to those who are out in public places," she said
but I can say that when it comes to the Valborg celebrations
resources are sufficient and that includes reinforcements from other police districts and regions."
the local police had decided to bring in even more reinforcements to help police the celebrations over Valborg and the coming weekend
As the shooting appears linked to an ongoing gang conflict
the police consider it an isolated incident
"Our judgement is that this incident does not represent a risk to the general public," Larsson said
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The students spent weeks discussing the ins and outs of self-building. They learned about Sweden’s storied history of community-constructed housing and just how much work it would take to pull off today. They heard from professionals about the logistical challenges and societal benefits that self-building presents—and then they decided to try it themselves. “We turned it from a think tank into a do tank,” Franson says.
Self Build City echoes Sweden’s earlier efforts to incentivize citizens to construct their own homes. In the 1930s, government agencies subsidized housing costs with loans for families who helped with construction tasks like laying bricks and fixing plumbing. At the time, it was a way to lower the cost of housing and keep people from leaving Sweden for the United States during a period of severe housing shortage.
A sketch shows what the three-story, nine-apartment complex in Knivsta, a suburb north of Stockholm, would look like.
Journal of Hazardous MaterialsCitation Excerpt :Some of them evaluated the fate of few pharmaceuticals without detecting their TPs (Li et al.
In our previous studies in a mesocosm experiment with artificial streams
where biofilms were exposed to WWTP effluent for a period of one month
using targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) we detected and quantified 20 drugs belonging to six therapeutic groups (β-blockers
and contrast agents) (Sabater-Liesa et al.
2019) with concentrations ranging from 18 to 9792 ng/L
we hypothesized the occurrence of degradation of some of these pharmaceuticals and the possible presence of their TPs in water
the analysis of TPs in environmental samples is challenging due to their structural diversity and complexity of the matrix
as well as the low concentrations at which they occur
Science of the Total EnvironmentCitation Excerpt :Some of these models consider the linkages between engineered (e.g
and simulate the fate of single chemical compounds
accounting for the huge complexity of urban or industrial effluents
which contain both subsidizers and stressors of biological activity is exceedingly complex
and so are the feed-backs that these mixtures can produce on biological receptors (Sabater-Liesa et al.
many models only partially consider the societal patterns which drive the occurrence of multiple stressors in the basin
and usually do not consider a dynamic adaptation of river management (i.e
by assuming steady state conditions over longer periods
1.11.2022 12:33:38 CET | AF Gruppen ASA | Press release
AF Gruppen’s subsidiary HMB Construction has been awarded to build further 151 homes in central Knivsta
The value of the contract is SEK 270 million
illustration: Walk the Room.The new residential block is a part of Knivsta’s new centre
and is the final of three blocks HMB is planning and building on behalf of Genova and Redito
The block comprises two structures with homes and commercial premises and subterranean parking
A mixture of small and larger homes will appeal to young people
The block is being built with Nordic Swan certification and will have energy-efficient heating with geothermal and district heating
Solar panels will contribute sustainable electricity production
“We have collaborated with Genova on several previous projects
including the acclaimed residential building Balneum in Gröndal in Stockholm
and are looking forward to delivering yet another well-executed project,” says Bård Frydenlund
Construction of the 151 new homes starts shortly
and the block is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025
The group has 5,400 employees and revenue reached NOK 27 billion in 2021
It's now up to stores to decide if they want to cut prices now that the three-kronor tax per carrier bag is gone
thinks people's behaviour will change now that the tax has been removed
Radio Swedenenglish@sverigesradio.se
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