Mattias Karlsson

Experiments in how to reprogramme an existing building and create a meaningful meeting place with local connection and relevance. The allotment garden movement came to Sweden via Denmark and Germany during the late 19th century. The purpose was to give workers a better quality of life and a place to grow food. Over time this has changed but the allotment garden movement is still strong today. I would argue that the opportunity to become partly self-sufficient and to organise the production and consumption of food is important on a social, political, and economic level, both on a local and national scale.

Through the reprogramming of an old parking garage and disused central water heating facility in Kärrtorp, I have created a spatial concept for a new type of allotment garden. The programme includes semipublic and private greenhouses, assembly rooms, restaurants, and preparation rooms for food. The space works as a local vegetable provider to members and customers and as a resource for knowledge about local small-scale gardening and food production.