DALAPALATSET - AN ADDITION

Abstract: The aim of this project has been to make an addition to an existing apartment block in Gävle, Dalapalatset. Dalapalatset was built between 1896 and 1899 and was designed by architect Nils Nordén and was planned to be built in three phases. The first two phases were built, but the last one never began. Now the block has a closed brick wall facing east. In the mid-1920s, city architect Gunnar Wetterling designed a proposal to complete the block, but this was never built. The intention of this project was to develop a new proposal for an addition, containing a program that is a continuation of the program of the existing building, residential apartments and commercial spaces. The fundamental issue has been how the addition should relate to the existing, whether the addition should adapt and conform to the existing in the interior as well as on the exterior or if it should be completely separated from the existing building and how to design for today’s life with building techniques of today.