Stadstudio

→ Number of employees: 10
→ Founded in: 2011
→ Office: Saltimporten at Nyhamnen

stadstudio.se
@ stadstudio

Briefly describe your office

Stadstudio was founded by Alexander Lenre Simittchiev in 2011 and today consists of 10 architects. We work with architecture at all scales and stages. We believe in unique and site-appropriate architecture as a prerequisite for ecological and sustainable construction. Our working method consists of an efficient studio model that ensures the quality of our projects daily. Our ideology is based on raising the value of buildings and neighbourhoods that will contribute to the city's future cultural heritage. We mainly work as consultants and work for most of the big developers with large-scale and interesting projects. But to learn more about the profession and to become better consultants, we develop design-built housing on a small scale.

Why have you chosen to design-build?

We work with something we call Arkitektinitiativet, which is rooted in the fact that we as architects need to take greater responsibility in the industry and become more community builders than we are today. In this way, we can strengthen the architect's role. The goal is to raise architecture and urban building to new levels. In this way, we can also develop construction technology and introduce a higher level of craftsmanship in construction. The design-build projects also strengthen our knowledge when we work as consultants in traditional projects, because we gain a greater understanding of the entire process in terms of finance and implementation.

How do you usually work as an office?

Our process is based on all colleagues, more or less, being involved in all projects. It gives us, as a small office, the dynamism and efficiency to be able to take on large-scale and complex projects.

How do you want to work in the future?

We are passionate about both architecture and urban planning. Our vision is to be able to develop city districts on our own, which we can implement together with several actors.

How do you see the architect's role in the construction process in Sweden today?

The architect's role has weakened since the million programme. We are convinced that the entire industry would benefit from us taking greater responsibility.

How would you like to see the architect's role develop in the future?

We, architects, sell hours today without taking any risks, which meant that our fees have not increased significantly in the last 20 years. We need to get out of our comfort zone and take greater responsibility and risks. Partly to achieve higher quality, partly to strengthen our economy.

What do you think about the architectural assignment as a business model - does it need to be developed or supplemented?

Development is constantly needed.

Is there anything you think the city could do differently to promote better construction processes?

Municipalities need to encourage architectural initiatives through land instructions, which can lead to a fruitful collegial dialogue between practising and municipal architects.