Kulturhus Tio14 is an ongoing repurposing of the old Folkets Hus in Falun into a new Culture House. Stage 1 is completed, and stage 2 is awaiting funding.

Our starting point for the project stemmed from studies of Falun’s cultural-historical landscape and traditional architecture, with a desire to find a contemporary interpretation as the foundation for the design. We chose to view traditional Dala architecture from a graphical perspective. The red cottages with white corners are visually striking, both against the green summer landscape and the white winter backdrop. The way openings in the façade were clearly framed and accentuated, and how wooden panels and decorative elements were playfully arranged in different directions, were aspects we wanted to emphasize.

The modularity of wooden planks and logs also provides a rhythm and scale that feels relatable. The design of the central atrium incorporated many of these learnings to break down the scale of the space into a more intimate expression. The modularity of the framework also served to integrate the room’s various functional requirements, with built-in acoustic panels fitted within the framework, integrated exhibition wall surfaces, and recessed lighting tracks to accommodate both general and exhibition lighting.

Together with the Cultural Section, our client, we also engaged in a deeper conversation about what a new cultural center could mean for the city and the region. Falun is best known for its sports, with the Lugnet Arena constantly in focus for investments, and for its cultural heritage, with the UNESCO-listed Falun Copper Mine as the most prominent example. However, very little contemporary culture has been developed in Falun itself, and that was the critical gap we wanted to address—and, if possible, influence through this project.

The pressing question, therefore, became: how could Kulturhus Tio14 create a space for creativity that does not yet exist in Falun? A place with a contemporary, playful, and dynamic expression—far from traditional wooden buildings and copper sheeting—yet still deeply connected to its cultural heritage.