Some put it down to global warming, others say it’s thanks to improvements in garden technology, whichever, the building boom in Stockholm has seen a rise in outdoor living. Bars, clubs and cafes with terraces offering al fresco dining are on the rise and a clutch of new residential developments are bringing the outdoors into their schemes.
This autumn, BIG architects and Oscar properties unveils 79 & Park, a dramatic complex of 140 foliage-covered apartments in the Gärdet district; and Mono, a new block with its own restaurant and roof terrace, which has just celebrated its opening in the sought-after district of Sodermalm. All 59 apartments, devised by Koncept Stockholm and Note Design Studio, were sold by autumn 2016, even before work broke ground. Designers, entrepreneurs and architects who colonise this part of the city queued to buy the compact spaces, which favour colour and decor over white Swedish functionalism.
Mono was designed by Koncept Stockholm and Note Design Studio.
Mono’s sedum roof and outdoor terrace was devised by British landscape designer Daniel Bell. Since moving to Stockholm three years ago, Bell has noticed an ennui among urbanites for the typical Stockholm garden which is ‘rather conservative, all straight lines of bamboo and buxus and stone.’ His informal schemes, which border on the wild and include exotic hardwearing trees such as the Manchurian Walnut, Indian Bean tree and Silver willow are as popular in the salubrious suburbs of Sodermalm and Djursholm as they are in tricky urban spots, such as the under the arches of Tradgarden nightclub where he has created living wall.
‘Stockholm is built on rock. You see pines and silver birch trees growing out of crevices everywhere, surviving on minerals,' Bell explains. ‘Yes, winters are harsh, but plants do grow, and Stockholmers are seeing that it’s possible to eat and drink outdoors for a large part of the year.’
Created for Glommen & Lindberg with the help of local architects Koncept Stockholm, Mono features interiors by Note Design Studio.
Meanwhile locally based landscape architect Daniel Bell worked on the development’s unique rooftop terrace.
The interiors feature the country’s signature Nordic style.
Warm woods and bespoke joinery ensure a soft yet welcomingly minimalist interior.
Apartments here were sold even before the scheme broke ground.
Large windows ensure interiors are awash with natural light.
Bell’s design combines planting and decking areas.
The landscape designer’s style is fairly informal and relaxed.
The design concept features a mix of local and foreign plant varieties.
Mono’s luxurious rooftop terrace offers residents the opportunity to dine al fresco for a large part of the year.
INFORMATION
For more information visit the Note Design Studio website and the Daniel Bell website
-
Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf unveil Calder Gardens in PhiladelphiaThe new cultural landmark presents Alexander Calder’s work in dialogue with nature and architecture, alongside the release of Jacques Herzog’s 'Sketches & Notes'. Ellie Stathaki interviews Herzog about the project.
-
Beloved British screenwriter Dennis Potter inspires an exhibition with a difference at Studio VoltaireHilary Lloyd's multi-faceted exhibition at Studio Voltaire considers Dennis Potter's life and work, from much-loved TV classics to power inequalities
-
Insert here: London Design Festival gets intimate with insertable designAt London Design Festival, Heirloom Studio showcases 36 objects – some life-saving, some pleasure-giving, all made to go inside the body
-
‘Landscape architecture is the queen of science’: Emanuele Coccia in conversation with Bas SmetsItalian philosopher Emanuele Coccia meets Belgian landscape architect Bas Smets to discuss nature, cities and ‘biospheric thinking’
-
Explore the landscape of the future with Bas SmetsLandscape architect Bas Smets on the art, philosophy and science of his pioneering approach: ‘a site is not in a state of “being”, but in a constant state of “becoming”’
-
10 landscape architects to know now: the ultimate directoryThe Wallpaper* 2025 Landscape Architects’ Directory spotlights the world's most exciting studios, each one transforming the environment around us with projects that celebrate nature in design
-
Landscape architect Taichi Saito: ‘I hope to create gentle landscapes that allow people’s hearts to feel at ease’We meet Taichi Saito and his 'gentle' landscapes, as the Japanese designer discusses his desire for a 'deep and meaningful' connection between humans and the natural world
-
Meet Kotchakorn Voraakhom, the Thai force in landscape architectureAlongside her studio Landprocess and network Porous City, Thai landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom is on a mission to make Bangkok a model of climate resilience
-
Meet Studio Zewde, the Harlem practice that's creating landscapes 'rooted in cultural narratives, ecology and memory'Ahead of a string of prestigious project openings, we check in with firm founder Sara Zewde
-
For Indian landscape architect Varna Shashidhar, nature taught her ‘more than any lecture ever could’Varna Shashidhar of Bangalore studio VSLA tells us of her journey to becoming a landscape architect, guided by observation, intuition, and a profound respect for place
-
Meet Rodrigo Oliveira, landscape architect to some of Brazil’s finest buildingsWe delve into Rodrigo Oliveira's naturalistic approach and explore his landscape architecture work, gracing buildings designed by some of Brazil's finest contemporary architects
