Symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the Konstnärliga Building
On 10 June, a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Konstnärliga building. This is where the University 91̽’s Artistic Faculty will be brought together in newly constructed and renovated premises. Around a hundred representatives from the University, Akademiska Hus, and Skanska gathered at Artisten to listen to speeches and witness the ceremonial turning of the first sod outside the building.
The project will result in a completely new, cohesive structure composed of three building sections. Two new buildings and a renovated Artisten will be connected into one. One of the new structures will face Götaplatsen and the other Johannebergsgatan.
The facilities will include workshops, multipurpose rooms, dance studios, concert halls, theatres, galleries, studios, music rooms, photo labs, recording studios, offices, a café, and a restaurant.
Here, the Faculty’s two departments – HDK-Valand (Academy of Art and Design) and HSM (Academy of Music and Drama) – will come together under one roof in a building that will serve as a hub for students, teachers, and researchers in all artistic disciplines.
A meeting place for students, teachers, researchers, and the people 91̽
At the event, the University 91̽’s Vice-Chancellor, Malin Broberg, spoke about the importance of creating a unified environment for the arts.
“I know how much it means to everyone at the Artistic Faculty to finally have a shared space. This new building will be a fantastic meeting place for students, teachers, researchers, and the people 91̽. We are a city university, and now we are creating inspiring environments and attractive workplaces where people want to be. We’re moving right into the cultural heart 91̽ – at the very centre of the city’s artistic and cultural life at Götaplatsen,” said Malin Broberg.
Konstnärliga will also have its own entrance to the Västlänken Korsvägen station. In this way, the Näckrosen university area will become an accessible and vibrant part of city life – a place for education, creativity, and collaboration.
Henric Benesch, Dean of the Artistic Faculty, described the day as an emotional milestone:
“Now we’re on our way! This is the exciting beginning of bringing all our activities together under one roof. The hope is that it will be like a cooperative, a collective – a real step forward. It will be a place full of new impressions, not only for us but also for the city and its citizens. You’ll come away enriched just by stepping inside. There will be concerts and exhibitions, and I’m looking forward to the grand opening in four years.”
Konstnärliga facility is scheduled to open in 2029
The faculty will move into the renovated Artisten building in stages, with full occupancy expected within two years. The entire Konstnärliga facility is scheduled to open in 2029.
Miriam Ståhlgren, Chair of the student union Konstkåren, is also looking forward to a university area where all students from the Artistic Faculty can come together, even though she will no longer be a student by then.
“For those of us studying here now, many memories are tied to these walls – but new ones will take shape in the new building.”
En smältdegel
One unit that will continue to be located off-site is the Steneby campus in Dals Långed, where HDK-Valand offers programmes and research in crafts and design. Carl-Johan Skogh, Head of Unit at Steneby, attended the event at Artisten.
“HDK is waiting patiently for what’s to come. We hope this will be a melting pot – a place where disciplines can merge and interdisciplinary projects can flourish. This new campus will also be significant for Gothenburg’s cultural life,” said Carl-Johan Skogh.
He was especially pleased that one of the shovels used during the ceremony had been custom-made by Štěpán Hála, a student in the Metal Arts programme at Steneby.
“That this particular shovel was used in the symbolic groundbreaking is a reminder that Steneby is an integral part of the Artistic Faculty.”
Akademiska Hus is building and managing
Akademiska Hus is building and managing the Konstnärliga premises, which will be leased by the University 91̽. One of Sweden’s largest property companies, Akademiska Hus develops and manages facilities for higher education and research. The company is investing approximately SEK 1.9 billion in the project.
“We are very pleased to be realising this project together with the University 91̽. The Konstnärliga building will be a fantastic addition to the city centre – both for the University and for Gothenburg’s residents. It’s a great example of how we can create knowledge environments that contribute to the pulse and cultural life of the city,” said Ali Ranji, Project Director at Akademiska Hus.
By: Carina Elmäng
