Translation of article in Aktualla Byggen, Nr. 1
2003.
OM establish in Frihamnen
Text: Anders Frankson
Today the OM Group’s offices are spread around several
locations in Stockholm and there was a wish to consolidate
the company to one location. The location chosen is
the old Ford Cars assembly plant in Frihamnen. The old
factory building, with its light plaster facade and
big windows, is now being converted to a modern and
efficient office building.
The Ford factory was opened in 1931. The factory,
ordered by Henry Ford, and designed by architect, Uno
Åhren, in functionalistic style, was used for assembling
Ford motor cars. The car parts were shipped from the
US and unloaded right next to the factory in Frihamnen
Port. After the Second World War, the building was extended,
once again designed by Uno Åhren. Now, architects Sandellsandberg
will transform this very typical factory building from
the 1930s to a modern office building. Important architectural
features which are typical of the time will be preserved
and, on the outside, the building will change very little.
It is on the inside that big changes will take place.
New floors
The floor area of the factory was approx 22 100
m2 before transformation but will be extended
to approximately 38 600 m2 of lettable
area when it is finished. This increase in floor space
has been achieved by the addition of two new floors
in what was previously a “high storage” facility and
also in the factory’s old glassed inner yard. “The
old inner courtyard will get a new higher positioned
glass roof which measures 45 x 90 meter”, says Jan-Erik
Palmblad, leader of the pre-construction study-team
at WSP Management. “The height of the new roof will
be adjusted so it doesn’t interfere with the building’s
protected exterior. This new area will house the building’s
new auditorium, which can hold up to 140 persons, and
also the restaurant.”
The new OM-building will hold about 1500 workstations.
Christian Hermelin, project manager in Wihlborgs Real
Estate who own the property, says, “In this project
we have trimmed our organisation. We demand a great
commitment and the right attitude from those we hire.
We have contracted the best within their respective
special areas to secure quality and an effective cost
control and to create effective purchasing. The project
will be divided into about 40 separate packages.
“Within the project, which is up and running, there
are target costs and, if the real costs are lower, there
will be a profit split between the persons responsible.
This provides a real incentive to keep the costs down.
OM will also benefit from this, as their rent will
be based on the size of the investment. The project
has a tight time schedule. Tenants plan to start moving
in during December 2003 and work on site started in
summer 2002. In the estate housing the factory also
includes an old boiler building from where the old factory
was supplied. This building is subject to renovation
as well. The emergency generators for OM will be placed
here together with an exercise/gymnasium section, and
a conference unit.”
“Now when the buildings are renovated to modern offices,
the old industrial character will not be hidden but
will be highlighted in the design.”
“You have to feel the industrial character”, says Christian
Hermelin. “We have saved an old overhead crane in the
former “high storage” area and also an old car lift.”
“And still it will highlight what is new,” continues
Jan-Eric Palmblad.
The project has included provision to divide the building
into 1,000 – 1,500 m2 units to accommodate
multi tenanted situation in the future.
One of the building’s biggest assets is the big window
area. All windows have been renovated during the project
and the inner glass has been changed to lamina for better
security and insulation. The new, upper floors do not
fully extend to the facade which increases the feeling
of openness and of connection between the floors.
Incredibly quiet
In the basement, culverts are being dug to manage the
media supply which the building needs to service the
tenant. Vertical shafts through the building will distribute
the services to each floor. Throughout most of the building,
raised floor will be installed. The tiles have a varnished
ash finish over an inert core. In the floor void, underfloor
air distribution provides ventilation, heating and cooling
in the office areas. The air is not ducted but introduced
into the floor void via a Zone unit, one at every 500m2
which creates air movement and takes in fresh air.”
“We have built a test room to check and it has been
working very well”, says Christian Hermelin. “And additionally,
the floor solutions are incredibly quiet, together with
a very low noise from footsteps.”
“The office areas generally will be open plan but,
with the flexibility in the raised floor, it can easily
be changed to a cell office layout.”
“Workplaces have been positioned towards the façade
and conference rooms and kitchens are sited towards
the inner courtyard. The floors are connected via several
short gangways. Bigger meeting rooms will be placed
in their respective departments as necessary. There
are tailor-made training rooms built which OM needs
for their work.”
“OM will rent the largest part of the building but,
existing tenants, SalusAnsvar who already have their
office in a small part of the building, will stay there.
Both tenants will have their own entrances.”
OM has signed a lease 10 year and is among the first
to establish in this new expansion of Stockholm. Frihamnen
and Värtahamnen are historical industrial environments,
which now stand ready for great change!
