Wenner-Gren Center

The Wenner-Gren Center is a complex of buildings in Stockholm, located at the northern end of the Sveavägen. The Wenner-Gren Center is named after its donor Axel Wenner -Gren.

The idea for this building goes back to an initiative of the Swedish biochemist and Nobel Prize winner, Hugo Theorell. He wanted to create an international center for gas- border animal scientists in Stockholm and brought 1955 Wenner-Gren to donate 8 million kronor ( equivalent to about 11 million euros in 2005 ). The Swedish government supported the plan and held a piece of land prepared for free.

The Wenner-Gren Center was built according to the plans of architect Sune Lindström and Alf Bydén during the years 1959-1961 and was inaugurated in January 1962. The complex consists of three buildings: the conference building " Tetragon ", the semi-circular residential building " Helicon " and the 74 meter high office building " pylon ". The 25 -storey " pylon " is, like the pointer of a sundial in the focal point of the low, half-round " Helicon ".

The Wenner-Gren Center was the first skyscraper in Sweden, containing a steel supporting structure and it was in his time the tallest building in Europe with this construction. To reinforce the impression of a tall skyscraper, the wide sides of the tower were designed abschmälernd to the top, and covered with glass facade, the facades of the short sides consist of roughly profiled, blue painted plate that is mounted vertically.

The location of the structure was deliberately chosen close to the transport connection to Arlanda airport, the then-new gateway to the world. On Arlada the new terminal building for international flights was inaugurated at the same time with the Wenner-Gren Center. Even today, the high-rise pylon is visible far across the city. Axel Wenner -Gren was able to finish his building experience ever, he died shortly before the inauguration in November 1961.

Pictures

" Helicon "

" Pylon "

Main entrance

Swell

  • Stockholm byggnader, Prism, 1977
  • Information board on site
Axel Wenner-Gren Stockholm Arlanda Airport
816896
de