Staff Canteen Inspired by the Archipelago

After a series of workshops and interviews with the people working at Värmdö town hall “Skogsbo”, Marge Arkitekter has designed a canteen that will serve as a gathering place for the municipal staff. The staff can meet for lunch and coffee breaks, work on their laptops or hold informal meetings here. Outside office hours, the rooms can be used for evening activities or seminars.

The design takes Värmdö’s identity as an archipelago municipality as its cue. There are several subtle nautical nods: the cork wall, the blue floor, the bespoke fishnet-patterned woodwork, the pillar tables resting, jetty-like, on their piles, metal details that resemble boat rails. The openness of the layout places high demands on the acoustic environment – the tables have sound-absorbing tops, acoustic matting covers the floor, and the array of textiles contributes to good acoustics while creating a warm, inviting dining environment.