Located on Textilgatan in Stockholm’s Hammarby Sjöstad, The Textile Square is the transformation of a former industrial building dating from 1955. Rather than replacing the structure, LINK Arkitektur focused on renovation, extension, and restoration — updating the building for contemporary office use while preserving the architectural qualities that define its industrial character. This approach reduces embodied carbon compared to new construction and reinforces the value of reuse within dense urban districts.
Key historic elements have been retained and reintroduced. The original three-part window layout has been restored, improving daylight quality while respecting the façade’s proportions. Inside, the former bank premises with travertine wall cladding have been preserved, allowing history to coexist with new functions.
Flexible workspaces with an industrial identity
The renovated building offers adaptable office environments designed to meet a range of tenant needs. A centrally positioned staircase allows floorplates to be subdivided efficiently, enabling different unit sizes and flexible leasing strategies over time. Visible installations throughout the building maximise ceiling heights and reinforce the industrial expression of the original concrete column structure.
Capacity has been increased through a sensitive vertical extension. A new top floor provides panoramic views through generous glazed areas and opens onto a shared roof terrace, offering outdoor space for occupants while enhancing the building’s relationship with the surrounding city. Additional circulation elements, including a façade staircase and a new glass tower, improve accessibility and make efficient use of the site without compromising the clarity of the original volume.
Activating the ground floor and public realm
At street level, the project prioritises urban life. The ground floor accommodates a restaurant and other commercial functions that contribute to activity throughout the day and evening. In front of the building, a public forecourt has been created with outdoor seating, a pergola, and integrated greenery. This small square functions as a social threshold between building and street, reinforcing safety, comfort, and neighbourhood interaction.
By opening the building to the public realm, The Textile Square gives back to the city, transforming a formerly introverted industrial site into an active and inclusive urban destination.
High-performance sustainability strategy
The Textile Square is designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, a high certification level for a renovation project. Environmental performance has been addressed through material selection, energy efficiency, and biodiversity measures. Climate-enhanced concrete has been used to lower embodied carbon, while a glass façade system with visible wooden framing balances transparency with thermal performance.
Energy-efficient windows eliminate the need for additional insulation, conserving both materials and costs. All construction products have been selected in line with the Swedish Building Product Assessment, ensuring reduced environmental and health impacts.
On the roof, solar panels contribute renewable energy, while a biotope roof designed with logs and native planting supports insects, birds, and urban biodiversity. Sustainable mobility is also integrated: access to public transport, extensive bicycle facilities (including washing and repair areas), changing rooms, and electric vehicle charging stations support low-carbon commuting.
