Södra hallen; a market hall and residential building in Kristinehamn

Abstract

With a strategic geographical position, the city of Kristinehamn was of national importance due to export of iron and timber. In accordance with this aspect, the city was also a meeting place during its seasonal and weekly markets on the southern and northern squares. Today, these markets aren’t as utilized and well visited by the local producers and citizens. The municipality of Kristinehamn has stated a vision of developing and activating the city center of Kristinehamn, with the revitalization of the market culture as an example. The purpose of the master thesis was to design a market hall and residential building, as well as a residential block on the site, that can accommodate the needs of the local producers and citizens of Kristinehamn. The market hall should act as a social meeting point in the city center that encouraged the revitalization of the market culture. The aim of the residential floors and block was as economic motivator, as well as closing the gap in the urban fabric of the site. The master thesis explored the architectural theory of Urban Artifacts and translated the four themes of Locus, memory, individuality and design, into design strategies that were implemented into the process. Four reference projects were analyzed and discussed in relation to theory, program and design. The final design was a market hall and residential building based on the theoretical framework. The building has four levels with the two levels accommodating the market hall and two residential levels with eight apartments each. The project was presented through space program, architectural drawings, perspectives and physical models. In conclusion, whether the theoretical framework of Urban Artifacts was the major incentive to the final design, the master thesis successfully explored the theory in relation to the design of the market hall and residential building on the site in Kristinehamn