- The University of Gothenburg has the largest faculty of fine and performing arts in Scandinavia with a completely unique breadth of education and research, also in an international perspective. The fact that we can now gather the faculty in the middle of the city in a building that is specifically adapted for the activities provides fantastic opportunities, both for the university, for Gothenburg and for cultural life," says Eva Wiberg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg.
In the new building, the faculty's two departments, the Academy of Art and Design (HDK-Valand) and the Academy of Music and Drama, can move together. The building will be home to students, researchers and teachers in all artistic subjects, which creates greater opportunities for students and researchers from different disciplines to interact and new collaborations in the artistic subjects can emerge.
"Together with the University of Gothenburg, we are creating an efficient and appropriate building where all the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts subjects can be gathered in premises that provide the conditions for outstanding education and research. The university campus at Näckrosen will be strengthened as a vibrant place in the middle of the city where people can meet, experience art and exchange knowledge," says Anna Alsborger, Property Director at Akademiska Hus.
Illustration: Tham & Videgård.
Specific and flexible premises
The investment consists of a reconstruction of part of the existing Artisten and an extension with two new buildings on six floors. The environments will include workshops, multi-purpose halls, dance halls, concert halls, theatres, galleries, studios, music rooms, studios, offices, cafés and restaurants.
"We have long been known for our fine workshops and other special premises, and we want to continue to be so in the future. In the new building, we have invested heavily in the special facilities required for artistic education and research, such as textile, metal, wood and ceramics workshops, concert halls, rehearsal rooms, photo labs, studios and black boxes. And of course galleries and stages where we can share our production," says Sanne Kofod Olsen, Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts.
Illustration: Tham & Videgård.
The premises will have a flexible design so that they can be changed according to the university's future needs, while the co-location in the new building means that the faculty's need for rented premises will be reduced by 25 per cent compared to the space they rent today. The renovation and extension project comprises a total of approximately 45,000 m2, of which the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts intends to lease 26,200 m2. Other areas include a parking garage and attractive office space for external activities linked to academia or which in a longer perspective can provide space for the faculty to grow in.
Exit from the West Link
The project also includes an entrance from the Västlänken station Korsvägen with retail premises with adapted service offerings. The entrance will be integrated into the new extension Längan and located at the corner of Johannebergsgatan and Olof Wijksgatan. The location has been developed in close collaboration with the City of Gothenburg and with the aim of minimizing changes in the urban environment. With the increase, the building and the university will open up further to the city, throughput and street life on the surrounding streets will increase and the opportunity for sustainable travel to and from campus will be improved.
Sustainable and long-term
Building sustainably and long-term is of paramount importance to both Akademiska Hus and the University of Gothenburg. There are high environmental requirements in all construction projects and the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts' new building will be built with the aim of being certified according to the Green Building Council's Gold rating. As part of this work, recycled materials will be used where possible.
The renovation and extension is planned to start in February 2023. The Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts' occupancy is planned to begin in a first phase in 2025 and be completed in 2027.
Illustration: Tham & Videgård.
About Näckrosen
With its central location between Korsvägen and Götaplatsen, Näckrosen is a place with great opportunities. Here, the University of Gothenburg and Akademiska Hus are creating a new university environment for the entire university and the entire city – a new centre for the humanities, art and culture for the research and education of the future.
The new Humanisten was completed in December 2019 and brings together the Faculty of Humanities under one roof. In addition to the new building for the Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts with an integrated entrance from the Västlänken station Korsvägen, planning is underway for a new and more functional university library. Akademiska Hus recently began the conversion of part of the old Humanisten, the so-called Språkskrapan, into student housing.
With proximity to the cultural institutions around Götaplatsen as well as to Korsvägen and the event area, the university area Näckrosen will be an even more active and integrated part of Gothenburg in a few years.