
LOCATION
Hemmesta, Värmdö, Sweden
DATE
2017
SIZE
180 ha
TYPE
Strategic planning
STATUS
Assignment completed
CLIENT
Värmdö Kommun
PROJECT TEAM
Martin Arfalk, Patrick Verhoeven, Sunna Pfeiffer, Danny Bridson, Giulia di Dio Balsamo
COLLABORATORS
ADEPT Architects
Hemmesta Småhusstad
A small town strategic vision
Hemmesta is a small town located 25 km east of Stockholm. Like the rest of the region, the town is contemplating the opportunities and limitations of significant growth pressures. The town is located at a regional traffic bottleneck, and has to make a major decision regarding the future of its infrastructure. Mandaworks was asked to develop a strategic vision for the town based on two infrastructural alternatives: upgrade and expand existing roadways or create a new bypass around the town.
The Hemmesta Småhusstad (Small house city) vision is a flexible and responsive toolbox to provide Värmdö municipality with a robust framework to manage future growth. The plan prioritises development that contributes to the existing urban form. This is achieved by improving and increasing the connections in the street network, placing density in central locations and crafting stronger and more defined public and landscape spaces for residents.
The vision recognises that Hemmesta’s valley landscape is a under-utilised resource, and preserves and connects the low lying spaces. The valley weaves in and out of the potential development sites, but remains a constant throughout the scenarios. Protected valley and forest landscape in combination with a sensitive consideration of building density and scale ensures that Hemmesta retains the vital balance between energetic town and thriving landscape.


The structural elements
The valley landscape, street network and potential development sites form the backbone of the vision

Scenario: Parallel boulevard
In this scenario the town utilises a new connecting boulevard to solve traffic concerns while retaining maximum green qualities.

A flexible and robust strategy
The vision for Hemmesta can unfold in a number of way responding to development and population dynamics.

A vision for all
New development in Hemmesta must bring new qualities, but also improve the existing urban form.

Småhusstad
Flexible and varied housing typologies introduce much needed variation to the urban structure.

Social clusters in the forest
By focusing development in strategic locations, strong boundaries protect and enhance the surrounding landscape.


Rethinking roadways
As the town grows, Hemmesta can recreate its relationship with its street network.

Where the neighbours meet
Housing clusters are structured around communal spaces and shared living.