Fristadstorget in Eskilstuna

Location: Eskilstuna, Sweden
Client: Municipality of Eskilstuna
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Lisbeth Westergaard, Jonas Rune Sangberg, Daniel Ludwig, Filippa Berglund
Design phase: 2005
Area: 2,5 ha.

In SLA ’s proposal, the historical Fristads Square became an attractive and identity- bearing meeting place for the whole of Eskildstuna. The floor of the square is structured according to the same rectangular 17th century grid principle as the rest of the town. The rectangles structure the functions of the square, such as market stalls, cycle parking and bus stops, as well as attractions such as gatherings, outdoor restaurants and play.

The weather becomes the new attraction on the town’s principle square. The south-facing façade of the new pavilion is formed as a curtain of mist. During the day, direct sunlight creates rainbows and shimmering light in the mist.

To emphasise the importance of the street, Rademachergatan has been given a new surfacing of natural stone and light in the form of a bar-code, that is laid out between the sides of the street along its length. The bands change in width and material. Some of the bands are executed in translucent material, so in the dark hours of the day the street can cast a gentle light with warm colours in winter and cool colours in the summer.

On the floor of the square are shallow reliefs that only become visible when it rains. When the rain or morning mist lies over the square, the millimetre deep reliefs fill with water that reflects the light, the sky and passers-by. The row of trees stands out as a strong spatial element on the square. At night the trees are lit up in various nuances of colour that interact with the material and warm colours of the surfacing.