Malmö Live
Size/ Concert, Congress and Hotel 54,000 m²
Competition/ International property development competition in 2010
Status/ Completed in 2015
Client/ Concert Hall/ City of Malmö/ Hotel and congress/ Skanska Sverige AB
Landscape architect/ SLA
Contractor/ Skanska Sverige AB
Other collaborators/ Akustikon
Sustainability/ Targetting LEED Platinum
Awards/ 2015, Best Tall Building Finalist/ 2015, European Hotel Design Award Shortlist/ 2015, Kasper Salin Prize Nomination/ 2016, Winner Årets Bygge/ 2016, Stora Kakelpriset/ 2016, WAF Mixed-use/ 2016, City of Malmö Prize/ 2017, European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award Nomination
Malmö Live is becoming a focal point and landmark in Malmö, offering a setting in which the spirit of the city, its diversity and intimacy receive an architectonic expression.
The new 54,000 m² concert, congress and hotel complex is situated on Universitetsholmen in Malmö. The building consists of cubic areas which are twisted and given different sizes to match the directions and heights of buildings in the surrounding city. The façades are designed with an homogeneous expression to make the composition appear as one architectonic sculpture. The ground floor is fully accessible to the public so people can pass through the building, whether going to a concert, congress, coffee shop, restaurant or just wanting to make a shortcut.
The different functions in the building are organized as separate elements - as a small town. Here, the lobby becomes the street that runs through the entire ground floor plan tying everything together.
The 45m long, 23m wide, 20m high concert hall is purposely designed for the Malmö Symphony Orchestra and seats an audience of 1,600 people. The space is made of oak and brass which helps create an intimate atmosphere and stands in contrast to the complex's other interior that stands boldly in raw black concrete and stone.
The hotel rooms are thoughtfully designed, with large floor to ceiling windows providing stunning views. Suites offer living areas and 180-degree panoramic view. All rooms are furnished in their own styles, creating individual experiences.
The complex has also been nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2017. In March 2016, Malmö Live was announced Winner of the Swedish Building of the Year Award 2016 (Årets Bygge) and also scooped the award for Best Façade. The Clarion Hotel and Congress, part of the versatile and innovative complex, was shortlisted, back in 2015, for the EHDA European Hotel Design Award.
Malmö Live was announced winner of the Mixed-use Completed Buildings category at a ceremony during the World Architectural Festival 2016 in Berlin. The Jury praised Malmö Live as a public building in the best sense of the word: open to everyone. Not exclusive and very democratic.
