Revitalizing Tradition: From Market Hall to Padel Haven
The Östermalmstorg temporary market hall, originally located in Stockholm, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a sustainable padel hall in Mölnlycke, east of Gothenburg, courtesy of the visionary architects at Tengbom. Through a meticulous four-year renovation process, the temporary market hall was relocated to a square, offering a more open interior volume with innovative “steel socks.” This adaptive reuse project not only breathes new life into the structure but also presents a sustainable approach to repurposing architectural gems.
Structural Ingenuity: A Lightweight Construction
To accommodate the underground station beneath the square, Tengbom designed a largely prefabricated building with a frame constructed from glulam columns and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams. The lightweight construction allowed for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring the structure’s adaptability. Passers-by could still traverse the square seamlessly, thanks to the market hall’s sloping floors, preserving the connectivity of the urban space.
Architectural Continuity: Slim Columns and Beams
Mirroring the aesthetic of the original market hall built in 1888, the temporary hall is characterized by its slim columns and beams, creating a spacious interior flooded with natural daylight. The cross-shaped section of the columns intersects waffle slab LVL beams, with triangular skylight lanterns introducing a unique design element. The façade, delivered in modules, blends birch plywood with large glass windows, seamlessly integrating the interior and exterior spaces.
Environmental Consciousness: Reuse and Repurpose
After Östermalm Market Hall reopened in March 2020, the temporary hall found a new owner in the property company Wallenstam. Recognizing the potential for reuse and inspired by the building’s architectural charm, Wallenstam decided to repurpose the structure. In a sustainable move, the hall was disassembled and transported to Mölnlycke in spring 2021, where it was inaugurated as Östermalmshallen Padel on April 29, 2022.
Precision in Reconstruction: Architectural Finesse
Reconstructed on a concrete monolithic floating slab foundation, the hall retained key elements such as wall and ceiling frames, multiwall polycarbonate sheeting, glass windows, and one of two corten steel-covered entries. The roof system, based on modules and visible steel elements, was reassembled with millimeter precision, ensuring a satisfying outcome. The façade, adorned with pine battens, preserves the relief effect, casting shadows to soften its expansive surface.
Adaptation for Permanence: Padel Hall Evolution
Transformed for permanent use, the padel hall underwent enhancements such as thermal insulation and an iron vitriol treatment to the facade. The interior, featuring plywood-covered walls and wood wool tiles on the sub-ceiling, accommodates six padel courts. Specially crafted “steel socks” extend the columns, creating an echo of the temporary hall’s sloping floor. Padel courts, bathed in diffuse light from multiwall polycarbonate sheets, define the hall’s purpose and vibrancy.
Spatial Reimagining: Mezzanine and Outdoor Integration
Unlike its temporary predecessor, the padel hall boasts a single mezzanine over the entrance and restaurant, housing staff areas and multi-purpose rooms. Rectangular openings facing the padel courts create a dynamic visual connection. Visitors can observe activities from the restaurant, while players enjoy the strategically designed outdoor seating space, fostering interaction between indoor and outdoor realms.
The Östermalmshallen Padel Hall stands as a testament to sustainable architectural practices, seamlessly blending history with modern functionality. Tengbom’s innovative design breathes new life into structures, exemplifying the potential for adaptive reuse in contemporary urban landscapes.
