NEWS Three different proposals for a modernized Universum building complex at Campus Umeå have been presented at a seminar arranged by Umeå University and Akademiska Hus. The major investment will now proceed by gathering valuable feedback from students, faculty and staff.
Umeå University and campus property manager Akademiska Hus have jointly commissioned three architectural firms - Ahrbom & Partner, LINK arkitektur and Tirsén & Aili architects - to create their vision of a Universum for the future. The aim of the architecture proposals have been to conduct an impartial review of how to better implement the large building complex’s unique location on campus.
The primary objective of Umeå University is to develop environments that create meetings for students, employees and visitors.
“Universum a natural entrance to Umeå University and an important meeting place with its location in the heart of the campus” says Lena Gustafsson, Vice-Chancellor Umeå University. “With the help of the proposals from the architectural firms, we have started a creative process and will also gather feedback from co-workers and students.”
The architectural firms have been given a great deal of creative freedom in the commission for developing a new Universum.
“There are three very different proposals that have presented to the assessment team,” says David Carlsson, North Region Manager at Akademiska Hus. “The firms have suggested various levels of change. Taken together, the proposals represent a valuable basis for discussions amongst Umeå University and Akademiska Hus about the future development of the building and site.”
The seminar on 2 April was attended by: Lena Gustafsson, Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University, Richard Olsson, Head of the Building Offices unit at Umeå University, David Carlsson, Regional Manager at Akademiska Hus (North Region), and Ingrid Gustavsson, Architectural Advisor at Akademiska Hus.
Universum opened in 1969 as a combination of the student union building, dining hall and dance club, and was long one of Umeå’s most frequently visited dancing establishments. Today, Universum includes two restaurants, a service centre for students and also a locale for the Umeå Union of Students. It is the largest conference venue in Umeå with capacity for 1,000 persons.
Lena Gustafsson, Vice-Chancellor at Umeå UniversityPhone: +46 (0)73-079 42 91
E-mail: lena.gustafsson@adm.umu.se
David Carlsson, Regional Manager at Akademiska Hus, North RegionPhone: +46 (0)90-17 62 05
E-mail: david.carlsson@akademiskahus.se
Draft proposal images from the architecture firms:
Ahrbom & Partner
LINK arkitektur
Tirsén & Alili