A genuine architectural environment is what trademarks Gamla Stan, which is the oldest part of Stockholm. Today’s city plan was founded here in the 17th century after the big fire that destroyed a large portion of the city in 1625.

The City grows with buildings

When the population in Stockholm exploded in the end of the 19th century, an intensive building phase started and common styles like Jugend, rationalism and classicism flowered around the turn of the century (1900).

It was during this period that Stockholm’s world-famous City Hall was built.

A new styl

In the 1920´s a new expression was coined by the editor of the British publication “Architectural Review”. The phrase was Swedish Grace and the Swedish style was considered simple and elegant, with pleasant forms.

The style is still in vogue and today’s architecture tends to get most of its inspiration from the first decades of the 20: th century.

Swedish Grace

The style attracted much attention between 1900 and 1930 since it emphasize detail. Liljevalch´s art gallery is one of the earliest examples of Swedish Grace and shows the co-operation between the architects and craftspeople in material such as wood, glass, textiles and metal. Stylish entrances that are accompanied with well-formed gates and doors together with elegant handles and banisters are one of the styles trademarks.

Modern style

When the 1960´s came, a new period in the architectural history of Stockholm begun when large parts of the city were demolished and rebuilt to a lot of peoples discontent. The House Of Culture, City Theater and the National Bank at Sergels Torg is a few of the most notable buildings from this period of architecture.

The Million Program

In 1965 the government announced “The Million Program” which was the plans of building a million new dwellings within 10 years.

The design and quality of the buildings were often of second importance to the delivery of such a large amount. Several suburbs emerged as Tensta and Rinkeby, and in 1973 the project was halted due to the oil crisis.

The term Postmodernism appeared in Sweden due to the criticisms to the lack of architecture in these areas.

Architecture underground

In year 1950 the doors to the Stockholm metro were opened. Many Swedish designers and architects have left their marks on the 100 stations all over town. The last station was built in 1994 and today the metro is famous for being the world’s longest work of art.