Grow Hotel

Project Details

Project Description

FROM THE ARCHITECTS:

3XN Architects unveiled its design for a new hotel to serve the developing business community in greater Stockholm's Sundbyberg and Solna municipalities. The Grow Hotel is located in Solna, adjacent to the Swedbank headquarters (also designed by 3XN) and Stora Blå (aka Big Blue), the landmarked former Siemens headquarters that now houses a variety of technology companies. The 9-story hotel, branded a Best Western Plus, features 176 guestrooms, restaurant with outdoor patio and green roof. Developed by Humlegården Fastigheter and operated by Time Hotel Group, project will break ground in September and open in autumn 2018.

3XN is working closely with landscape architect LAND to redefine the site, which as an industrial area originally prioritized car and truck traffic, to welcome bikes and pedestrians. New landscape elements include patterned hardscape, integrated street furniture and 'short cuts' through the site leading to nearby buildings, all of which will provide continuity across the neighborhood. These improvements and the hotel itself are part of the larger effort to enliven Solna and Sundbyberg, bringing increased density and new business.

"To emphasize the green setting for the Grow Hotel, we designed the building in the shape of a chevron," said Marie Hesseldahl Larsen, Partner, 3XN. "This gentle 'v' shape embraces the park behind the hotel and creates added visual interest to the architectural form. Its anodized aluminum façade, with its warm, earthy tone and irregular texture, contrasts with the green of the park and expansive blue façade of Stora Blå."

Modular panels with varied open and closed elements establish a pattern and enliven the façade. "We intended our design to mitigate the scale of Big Blue and other more monolithic buildings nearby," continued Hesseldahl Larsen. "Our metal façade, which looks like oxidized steel, references the industrial quality of Big Blue but with a more nuanced, contemporary gesture."

A transparent ground floor establishes a welcoming presence for the hotel and includes a reception area, lounge and large restaurant with outdoor seating. Guestrooms, efficiently positioned on double-loaded corridors, measure 16.5m2 (177sf). Junior suites accommodate guests needing more space for a longer stay with 24.5m2 (263sf). Designing the hotel in the chevron shape created an opportunity for 3XN to incorporate a small niche at each room entry, which provides a sense of arrival for guests. The slightly angled 'arms' of the chevron also allowed enough space for a comfortable lounge chair in each room, in addition to the bed and desk. 3XN collaborated with Note Design Studio on the interior design.

In addition to the nearby Swedbank headquarters, 3XN designed the master plan for the area and the circular Stenhöga parking building that was completed earlier this year.