Hyllie Station Square

Location: Malmö, Sweden
Client: Malmö City
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Salka Kudsk, Signe Høyer Fredriksen, Thomas Kock, Friedemann Rüter, Flemming Rafn Thomsen, Michelle Nielsen-Dharmaratne, Martin Søberg, Christine Vad Majgaard, Ditte Andresen, Suna Madsen, Signe Jul Andersen
Design phase: 2007
Area: 1,5 ha.

Hyllie Station Square is the new meeting place of the neighbourhood, a gathering point that gives the area identity. The square is the new node between the station, shopping centre, arena, housing and offices. A place passed daily by many locals as well as visitors from far away.

A row of open pavilions with light roofs are placed freely on the square. They provide shelter on the square, by the bus stop and the café. The roofing material is constructed of light, white plastic, that has a reflecting surface on the underside and tree branch design printed on the top side that creates a refined filigree pattern.

The square is tied together by a floor of smooth, jet black asphalt. Patterns, symbols, time and text is projected down onto the surface from three tall masts. The light shows time that passes, changing and surprising with new information and narratives. Colours and forms melt together with quotes from Swedish literature or symbols known from the town.

In the northern corner of the square that rests on a field, a patch of nature is established. Groves of lush Swedish forest trees – birches, oak, elm, fir and hazel – with bogs, ferns and blueberries on the forest floor. The forest changes character with the changing seasons. There are snowdrops in winter, wood anemones in spring and blueberries in late summer.

Three hills of asphalt make their mark in the landscape like wandering dunes shaped by the wind. They break up the space, providing shelter and facilitate orientation. The dunes will become dynamos for activity on the square. Children and others will climb, sledge and skate on them.