Site-Specific Reuse in a Culturally Historic Setting

During the renovation of the culturally significant block Kv. Jungfrun in Norrköping, the two lowest floors were transformed into flexible co-working spaces. The heritage-listed building Anders Kvarn from 1872 was originally constructed as a grain warehouse with an adjoining grain dryer and is located in Norrköping’s rapidly developing district Inre hamnen. The transformation from mill to modern office has been carried out with deep respect for the building’s architectural legacy. The industrial expression has been preserved in both materials, spatial volumes, and atmosphere, while the property has been adapted to meet today’s standards of functionality and comfort.

The interior design is based on an innovative, site-bound reuse concept, where materials from the building’s own reconstruction have been repurposed and given new life within the architectural whole. In the entrance portico, a number of suspended glass globes—found in the existing warehouse and reworked into new pendant fixtures—hang as subtle references to the building’s former use. Core samples taken from the walls during the reopening of the cast-in window openings have been integrated as table bases in the lounge areas. In this way, the new design is tied to the building’s history through both tactile and visual reuse.

Furthermore, much of the loose furnishings have been sourced from the second-hand market. The furniture has been carefully curated and acquired through auction houses and antique dealers, with the aim of integrating period-appropriate elements that reinforce the building’s historical identity and architectural character, while also promoting a sustainable use of resources.

The interior design of Kv. Jungfrun draws inspiration from the many journeys made by ships to and from Norrköping’s inner harbor throughout history. The color scheme of the interiors references maritime visual communication—signal flags traditionally used by ships to convey messages across the sea. These colors are reflected in the furniture, lighting, and site-specific rugs developed for the project. The result is an interior deeply rooted in the building’s history, relating to its maritime context, and bringing distinctive character to a contemporary environment.