Ambitious social hub to become heart and anchor of new neighbourhood of concious living
Snøhetta finishes Lakehouse - a next level community building to be used and enjoyed by everyone living in or visiting the new area of Wendelstrand.
How do you create a community and prevent a new residential area from becoming just another commuter town?
In the new Wendelstrand district outside Mölnlycke, Sweden, the development has broken away from the conventional path. A large and innovative community building was completed even before the sales launch of the 1,000 homes that will surround it. The Lakehouse includes office spaces, a fitness center, and dining venues, serving as a shared arena where residents can meet, thrive, and strengthen social bonds and a sense of belonging.
Download highres images and plans here
Photo: Kalle Sanner/Snøhetta
From an old quarry to a a new residential area
Wendelstrand is a former quarry surrounded by forest, water, and large open spaces. Here, one can live green and rurally with immediate access to exercise, workplaces, relaxation, and culinary experiences while still being within reach of Gothenburg and all the city has to offer. The homes will be nestled in generous green areas with opportunities for mushroom picking, forest walks, and morning swims in Lake Landvetter.
The area is designed for a lifestyle centered around nature, with pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environments, good public transport connections, and shared services like electric carpools. The development emphasizes conscious material choices, energy-efficient solutions, and thoughtful planning to minimize the climate footprint. It also aims to create a place where people live and work, meet, and enjoy life together.
Snøhetta has been involved in the transformation from quarry to a regenerative neighborhood since 2017. From the ambitious concept of healing a scar in the ground and restoring nature to the landscape, the project has evolved into a green residential area with an extensive park network of walking paths and roads, culminating in the rooftop landscape of the Lakehouse.
Designed to invite people in, onto, and around
The building serves as a gathering place that connects nature and culture. Residents can work side by side or simply relax, rent spaces for gatherings, large or small, and enjoy food and fitness offerings. The Lakehouse is designed to invite people in, onto, and around it.
The elongated structure rises like a spine in the landscape, creating a seamless transition between the existing and the new, indoors and outdoors, and private and shared spaces. The area's past as a quarry and the natural terrain structures inspire both the form and materials.
A vertical space that draws in light and connects the interior volumes
The two lower floors, embedded in the bedrock, belong to the world of stone. They feature concrete and stone floors and a central open atrium that spans all levels where the building is at its tallest. This large, generous space will host concerts and performances or simply offer a place to chat and take a break. It can also be rented for private events. The seating extends outside the building into an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the lake, emphasizing the intersection of nature and development.
The top two floors draw inspiration from the surrounding trees, with glulam and laminated timber structures visible on the interior surfaces. The entire structure is framed by large glass panels with strategically placed patterns that create a play of light reminiscent of sunlight through treetops while also minimizing heat load and the need for sunshades.
The top of the building mimics treetops, with open rooftop gardens, terraces, and walkways. The roof is covered with forest floor mats of moss, heather, blueberries, grass, wildflowers, and other native plants. This setup slows water runoff, reduces the risk of overheating, and supports biodiversity while also serving as an attraction in itself.
Download highres images and plans here
Photo: Kalle Sanner/Snøhetta
Read more about the project on our website:
FACTS
Location: Mölnlycke, Sweden
Size: 6 264 m2
Typology: Mixed-use with restaurants, office spaces, shared spaces, gym and roof terraces.
Status: Completed
Timeline: 2017-2025
Client: Next Step
Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture (roof terraces): Snøhetta
Entrepreneur: BRA Bygg
Collaborators:
Landscape Architect street level: White Arkitekter
Interior Architecture, rental areas: Arkitektbyrån Design
IMAGES
Download photos
Credit: Kalle Sanner / Snøhetta
CONTACT
Ida Halvorsen Kemp