Gjuteriet Renovation in Malmö by Kjellander Sjöberg Revives Industrial Heritage Through Circular Architecture

The Gjuteriet Renovation in Malmö by Kjellander Sjöberg represents a remarkable example of adaptive reuse architecture, circular design, and sustainable urban regeneration. Completed in 2023, the project transforms a historic industrial ruin into a vibrant social and professional hub within the evolving Varvsstaden district of Malmö, Sweden.

Once a historic foundry building tied to Malmö’s maritime and industrial development, Gjuteriet has been reimagined as a dynamic mixed-use environment. The transformation preserves the building’s historic identity while introducing contemporary spaces that support coworking, social interaction, and creative collaboration.

The project demonstrates how industrial heritage architecture can be revitalized through circular construction strategies, proving that existing structures can be adapted for modern urban life while significantly reducing environmental impact.

Revitalizing the Historic Gjuteriet Foundry Building

The Gjuteriet building holds a special place in Malmö’s industrial history. As a former foundry within the old shipyard area, it played an important role in the city's rise as a manufacturing and maritime center.

Architects Stefan Sjöberg and Johan Pitura approached the renovation by carefully preserving the building’s original character. Instead of erasing its history, the design emphasizes the layered narrative embedded in its steel frame, brick facades, and industrial volumes.

The renovation process began with what remained of the structure:

• The imposing steel structural frame
• Historic brick masonry walls
• Fragmented industrial surfaces shaped by decades of use

These elements were retained and integrated into the new design, creating a spatial dialogue between historic industrial architecture and contemporary workplace environments.

Circular Architecture and Material Reuse Strategy

One of the most defining aspects of the project is its commitment to circular architecture and resource-efficient construction.

A key initiative behind the project was the creation of a material bank in Varvsstaden, where salvaged materials from dismantled shipyard buildings were stored for reuse. This material library became a central design driver for the Gjuteriet renovation.

Reclaimed elements used throughout the project include:

• Recycled bricks
• Corrugated metal panels
• Sheet metal components
• Reused staircases
• Salvaged lighting fixtures

This approach significantly reduced the project’s carbon footprint while promoting sustainable construction practices. Instead of relying heavily on new materials, the architects used what was already available, demonstrating how circular material systems can shape architectural design.

Where new materials were required, the project prioritized locally sourced and renewable materials, including glulam timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT). These additions complement the existing steel structure while contributing to a lower environmental impact.

Preserving Architectural Identity and Historic Character

A major design goal was to maintain the building’s distinctive architectural features while improving energy performance and structural stability.

The characteristic basilica-style gabled roof forms were carefully restored and insulated from the inside. Meanwhile, the west facade, which had evolved over decades through patchwork repairs and alterations, was preserved as a historical collage reflecting the building’s industrial past.

To protect and reinforce the facade, the architects introduced a new outer layer of recycled brick, creating a subtle but meaningful architectural intervention that maintains the building’s visual identity.

Another important restoration effort involved reopening the original brick vaults, which had been sealed over time. These vaulted forms now once again define parts of the interior architecture, reconnecting the building to its historic construction methods.

Transforming the Industrial Hall Into a Contemporary Workplace

The heart of the building is the large industrial hall, once used for manufacturing ship components. Its dramatic volume and exposed steel structure provided a unique spatial framework for the new program.

Today, this space has been reimagined as an inspiring headquarters for Oatly, designed to support a flexible and collaborative workplace culture. The interior environment encourages interaction through open layouts, communal areas, and activity-based working spaces.

The architecture emphasizes:

• Social connectivity
• Creative collaboration
• Flexible work environments
• Authentic industrial character

The preserved steel beams, expansive volumes, and visible material layers reinforce the building’s industrial heritage while accommodating modern office functions.

Public Spaces and Community Engagement

The Gjuteriet renovation extends beyond workplace design by incorporating public-facing functions on the ground floor. These spaces aim to activate the surrounding waterfront district and encourage community engagement.

The ground floor includes:

• A public café
• A restaurant
• Exhibition areas
• A welcoming foyer

These amenities create a shared social environment where visitors, workers, and local residents can interact. The building therefore acts as both a corporate headquarters and a public urban destination.

Urban Regeneration in Varvsstaden District

The Gjuteriet renovation is part of the larger Varvsstaden regeneration project, which is transforming Malmö’s former shipyard into a vibrant mixed-use district.

The new neighborhood will include:

• Residential housing
• Office spaces
• Cultural venues
• A fine arts campus for Lund University

Gjuteriet plays a crucial role in this transformation by serving as an architectural catalyst for the district’s redevelopment. Its adaptive reuse demonstrates how industrial heritage can be preserved while supporting contemporary urban life.

By integrating architecture, landscape design, and waterfront public spaces, the project establishes a new social focal point along the quay, dry dock, and inner basin.

Sustainable Architecture Within Planetary Boundaries

A guiding philosophy behind the project was designing within planetary boundaries, a concept that encourages minimizing resource consumption and environmental impact.

Through extensive reuse of existing materials and structures, the project significantly reduces embodied carbon while promoting sustainable building practices.

This approach highlights several key architectural principles:

• Preservation before demolition
• Reuse before replacement
• Local sourcing before global supply chains

Gjuteriet therefore becomes an important case study in low-carbon architecture, circular economy design, and sustainable urban regeneration.

 A Model for Circular Urban Architecture

The Gjuteriet Renovation by Kjellander Sjöberg demonstrates how historic industrial structures can be transformed into vibrant contemporary spaces through adaptive reuse, circular material strategies, and sustainable design thinking.

By preserving Malmö’s industrial heritage while introducing new social and professional functions, the project successfully bridges past and future. The result is a dynamic architectural landmark that contributes to both urban regeneration and environmental responsibility.

Gjuteriet now stands as a powerful example of how architecture can reuse history as a resource, creating meaningful places that support community life, innovation, and sustainable urban development.

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