"Campus Plan 2040 is a vision document that shows the long-term direction of travel for the development of Karlstad University's physical environments. The vision is innovative and sustainable campus environments with a focus on collaboration, where an open atmosphere meets the world and where attractive environments stimulate creativity and collaboration," says Olle Lilliestierna, Campus Director at Karlstad University.
The main features of the campus plan describe how the campus will continue to develop in collaboration with the city and where long-term sustainability will always be prioritized in the development of the campus environment. These include cosy hangouts, a varied range of food, easily accessible study environments and areas for spontaneous activities such as sports. The plan also includes proposals for a wide range of new meeting places that bring the business community closer to academia and enable establishments on campus of f fcompanies and activities of different sizes that contribute to strengthening the University's focus areas and that new collaborations arise .
"In times of post-pandemic and rapid digital development with increased opportunities for remote work and study, campus as a place and the physical meeting play an important role," says Pontus Isaksson, Property Area Manager at Akademiska Hus. With the new campus plan for Karlstad University, we show our common ambition for the university campus and how we can together create an even more attractive campus that lives in symbiosis with its local area. To do this with sustainability as a guiding principle, it is mainly about upgrading and reworking the buildings that exist rather than building new ones.
A vibrant place where more people want to be
One goal of the plan is to make the campus more vibrant and to open up the space for more groups of people throughout the day. The university and Akademiska Hus want to realise this by creating even better conditions for associations, culture, services, housing and strengthening communication to and from campus.
"Competition between universities has increased, and for Karlstad University, an important part of the brand is the physical environment on our campuses," says Olle Lilliestierna. Architecture, interior design, functions and the outdoor environment must be connected and create a whole in order to be attractive and competitive. The proximity to nature and culture must also be clearly visible on the campuses. The continued development of Karlstad University is largely about changing and developing what already exists and continuing to create attractive and sustainable campus environments.
Facts Campus Plan 2040
The university consists of two campuses and a smaller room for studies in central Karlstad. Campus Ingesund is surrounded by water with a view of Kyrkviken towards Arvika. What mainly distinguishes Campus Karlstad is the short distances. All buildings are located within a 250-metre radius of the main entrance of the library building.
The overall purpose of the campus plan is to map the university's operational needs and development wishes and to review the conditions for a sustainable development of the campus until 2040.
The plan is the result of a joint work process between Karlstad University and Akademiska Hus. Arvika Fastighets AB, which owns the university's premises in Arvika, has also participated in the work.
Here you will find the campus plan in its entirety.
Pontus Isaksson
Fastighetsområdeschef