Malmö Live

Malmö Live is an open, expressive, dynamic building offering numerous activities within its architecture. The point of departure for the building’s design is the modern Scandinavian architectural tradition, which focuses on clear, functional organisation and an accessible, open ground floor layout. The building has become a focal point and landmark in Malmö, offering a setting in which the spirit of the city, its diversity and intimacy receive an architectonic expression. The idea was to create a ‘house of the city’ incorporating the appearance of Malmö to develop a building that will contribute to the existing urban life. The context inspired the choice of materials and colours as well as the various sizes of the building’s areas, yet the building design itself points to the future.

Malmö Live is situated on Universitetsholmen. The building consists of cubic areas that are twisted and given different sizes to match the directions and heights of the surrounding city. The facades are designed with a homogeneous expression to make the composition appear as one architectonic sculpture. The building mass was broken down into smaller entities that interact with the context. The clearly defined volumes also create a hierarchy in the way in which Malmö Live is perceived. The exterior expression include a common space for skating or watching football on a big screen, a green park path, a new promenade along the canal to the south and two large wooden decks that connect the water and the building. What traditionally has been considered private spaces, reserved for concert audiences and hotel and congress guests only, has been transformed into a public hub. The flexibility of the congress, the concert hall, the meeting facilities and the public spaces inside and outside Malmö Live makes it suitable for all kinds of events. The functionalities and the life which it creates inside and around the buildings is essential for longterm commercial viability.

The main entrance is found at the northern part of the building, which has a classic loggia motif facing the plaza in front. From the south, visitors enter the building directly from the promenade running along the canal. The ground floor is fully open and accessible to all, whether going to a concert, attending a congress, staying at the hotel, or just stopping by for coffee or take a shortcut through the building. The different functions are organised as separate elements to resemble a small city. The lobby becomes the street, which ties everything together, designed to form small gathering spaces and recesses where visitors can stop, sit and enjoy the unique surroundings and take in the view of the city. Inside, three volumes hold a large symphony hall, a flexible hall and a conference hall, which are clearly defined elements. The street life outside is drawn directly inside to support the open nature of the building. The concert hall is made of oak and brass which helps create an intimate atmosphere and stands in contrast to the complex's other interior that stands boldly in raw black concrete and stone.