Kolingsborg, Slussen. Image from the Internet.
There is this round building in the middle of the traffic system at Slussen, Stockholm, called Kolingsborg. Kolingsborg was built 1953–54, from drawings by architect Arthur von Schmalensee. The building had to begin with offices for the port authorities of Stockholm. The building has also been housing a nightclub, architect offices, and the Bobbadilla club.
The building was shut down in December 2013. More about Kolingsborg can be found on this Swedish Wikipedia page where I’ve borrowed some of the pictures. That page is in Swedish.
The location is close to the Old Town, overlooking it and with a view out to the sea. Trains and the subway passing through Stockholm, pass under it.
Slussen traffic system. “Slussen modell 1930-tal” av Okänd – Stockholms stadsmuseum. Licensierad under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
The building has murals inside picturing the work of port workers. Those have been hidden under boards during the years the building was offices and nightclub.
Kolingsborg murals. “Kolingsborg interiör sept 2015c” av Holger.Ellgaard – Eget arbete. Licensierad under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Kolingsborg murals. Picture from the Wikipedia page.
After the building was closed it was at first painted all white.
White Kolingsborg. Picture from the Wikipedia page on the internet.
It was then turned into an art project. It has during the summer been painted by nine invited graffiti artists. The art project is being finished today September 27th 2015. Watch a YouTube film about the art project here.
Kolingsborg from above. Photo: Henrik Jensen
I grew up in the neighborhood and have seen this building most of my life. Passed it the other day on my way from the Southern parts of Stockholm to the City. The following are my own pictures of Kolingsborg from September 21st 2015.
Kolingsborg 2015-09-21. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2015
The graffiti paintings are connected one to the other, but the painters have otherwise been free to paint what they wanted.
Kolingsborg 2015-09-21. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2015
Kolingsborg 2015-09-21. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2015
Kolingsborg 2015-09-21. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2015
The building will be taken down in October 2015 in connection with the building of the new Slussen (whenever that starts, it was decided on only this week).
The murals inside will not be saved. They will be documented though for posterity.
Below Slussen as seen from the street on the way down to the Old Town from Kolingsborg and the Slussen area. This is the only way to pass Stockholm by boat from Mälaren to the East Sea.
Slussen 2015-09-21. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2015
Addition 2016-02-08
Kolingsborg gone 2016-02-08. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2016
And now it is gone. Just a hole in the ground…
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