{"id":42506,"date":"2025-11-12T09:45:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T08:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malmokonsthall.se\/architecture\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T13:38:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T12:38:45","slug":"architecture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/malmokonsthall.se\/en\/architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo: Markus Bengtsson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Architecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Malm\u00f6 Konsthall is one of Europe\u2019s largest exhibition spaces for contemporary art and an internationally renowned example of Nordic modernism. It is a place where light, space, and art meet. The building opened on March 22, 1975, after a long process in which the dream of an art hall in Malm\u00f6 finally became a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An idea that took decades to realize<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As early as 1931, several members of the Sk\u00e5ne Art Association took the initiative to establish an art hall in the city. They formed a foundation and organized a large goods lottery to finance the project, but the plans were never realized. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the discussions gained new momentum. The social climate, along with the recurring cultural-debate slogan \u201cArt to the people,\u201d once again highlighted the need for an open exhibition space for contemporary art \u2013 a place where the people of Malm\u00f6 could encounter art without barriers. In 1971, the City of Malm\u00f6 decided to establish a municipal art hall and announced an architectural competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klas Anshelm and the Vision of Light, Simplicity, and Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The competition was won by architect Klas Anshelm, who had previously gained recognition for Lunds Konsthall and his buildings for Lund University. Inspired by the activity centers that had emerged in his hometown of Lund during the 1960s, he envisioned a building that was robust, flexible, and generous in its architecture. For Malm\u00f6 Konsthall, he articulated a clear idea of directness and openness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think it is important that you enter an art hall directly. As soon as you step through the front doors, you should be surrounded by the art. I want people to be able to nail into the floors and walls without anything being damaged.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result was a large, bright, and flexible exhibition space \u2013 essentially a simple, white \u201cbox\u201d that gives artists great freedom. Almost any spatial idea can be realized within the room, which has made the building particularly appreciated by exhibiting artists. One of the hall\u2019s most distinctive features is its 550 skylights, a solution Anshelm developed while working on ideas for the Nordic Pavilion at the 1961 Venice Biennale. Although he did not receive the commission for Venice, he realized the concept at Malm\u00f6 Konsthall instead. The skylights create a soft, even daylight that continues to attract interest from architecture enthusiasts around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change and Renewal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1994, the art hall underwent an extensive renovation and expansion designed by architect Jan Holmgren of White Arkitekter. The new section, called \u201cMellanrummet\u201d (The In-Between Space), connects the exhibition hall with the former Hantverkshuset from 1915. Here, the reception, caf\u00e9, and auditorium \u2013 and today also Malm\u00f6 Konsthall\u2019s bookshop \u2013 were placed, freeing up more space for art and giving the building a clearer structure and improved flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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