When developing a complex architecture and urban planning project, it is crucial to think across disciplines. In January 2024, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and STED, together with BEEK Architects, Hallemar Hejdelind, and Professor Göran Cars, won the competition for Hamnpiren och Kajstraket with the project Vattenstaden.

Vattenstaden (Water Town) is a master plan for urban spaces and harbor architecture that fits subtly and respectfully into the coastal nature and the unique atmosphere of Vättern. There are no manifesting icons, but rather functional connections, urban spaces, and buildings that support the rhythm of everyday life by the water and provide settings for community activities, water sports, and human encounters.

"When standing at the harbor, it is very clear that Lake Vättern is completely cut off from the city. The connection is simply severed by a railway running along the shore – and furthermore, there is a canal dividing the city in two. It became quite clear to us that we needed to establish new physical connections," says Jeppe Dueholm, partner at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, and Martin Hjerl, head of STED, adds:

"Programmatically and in terms of landscape, we have looked at how we could strengthen not only the concrete physical but also the mental and experiential connection to the water."

The competition was won by an interdisciplinary team - what does that mean for the project?

"Establishing a mental and physical connection to the water is an interdisciplinary exercise, as it is not solely about architecture and planning. It's about creating a shared narrative - a strong narrative that brings the important role of water back into the story of Jönköping.

On the architectural side, it is a huge advantage to have a Swedish architect, Beek, on the task, as they have local insights and knowledge that we as Danish architects would not be able to research through a visit or reading maps. At the same time, Beek is extremely skilled at developing and communicating the uniqueness of a project. They have an educational approach that aligns very well with STED's site-specific method and VLA's functional approach."

"It also made perfect sense to collaborate with the Swedish experimental consultants Hallemar Hejdelind. Not only are they local, but they also have a journalistic-anthropological approach, which involves high-level communication as well as interviews with local associations and citizens, providing valuable insights and a consistent thread throughout the project. The same applies to Professor Göran Cars in urban planning, who contributes solid specialized knowledge about Swedish urban planning conditions and the political process in municipalities."

"The entire competition process has taken place through truly exciting online workshops, where we have shared thoughts, sketches, and exchanged experiences. It has been very rewarding for the project that we have contributed with such different expertise and perspectives on the world. At no point has anyone trumped others with a defining vision. The design, programming, and narrative have emerged in a collaborative process, and everyone has been clear about our roles. That we have been - and are - a united team is crucial for the success of the project," says Jeppe Dueholm.

What new knowledge has the project generated?

"It has - in general - great value to work interdisciplinary. Even though each of us may know a lot individually, we cannot do everything ourselves. When we combine knowledge and different methods, new insights and perspectives emerge. That's the fantastic thing about collaborations. But it requires being open and curious and letting everyone bring something to the table," says Martin Hjerl.

"It definitely has huge value to work together with local forces when working internationally. Especially when it is a collaborator who shares one's values, ambition, and vision for the project, as is the case with this project."

"This project has taught us how important it is to receive external input in the development process. It ensures that we see the ENTIRE project and that all blind spots are illuminated," says Jeppe Dueholm.

What significance has the format and program of the competition had for the process and result?

"Jönköping Municipality has had a very open and humble approach when formulating the competition program, where they have sought advice from other municipalities and specialists with knowledge of urban planning projects. Additionally, they have been wise in assembling a jury representing a broad spectrum of both professionals and politicians from both sides. This has provided significant political ownership of the project, with a unified jury that has been receptive to the arguments of professional judges - and it was a unanimous jury that chose our project. Likewise, it has been beneficial for the process that we had a kickoff seminar for the competition in Jönköping, where the city architect participated and talked about the city's history, and where we had the opportunity to get to know the client. It has meant a lot for the result that we have been on-site together and felt its limitations and potentials physically."

"It is also an advantage with a relatively open competition program that has invited interpretation – that the concept has not been predetermined. It has given us the opportunity to develop a project that is actually larger than the competition site, but also realizable as it can be broken down into smaller sub-projects," says Jeppe Dueholm, and Martin Hjerl adds:
"An open program allows for the unexpected and gives us the opportunity to exceed the client's expectations. An open program allows room for innovation."