KRAFTNAVET / POWERHUB
Year: 2026
Location: Varberg, Sweden
Program: Factory building conversion to office, conference and district cooling plant
Area: 10,000m2
Visualizations: Rein
KRAFTNAVET transforms the energy of a former industrial site into a new hub for future work and urban life in the harbour. Building upon the legacy of Eternitfabriken, the project reclaims a historically industrial site and reimagines it as a contemporary center for work, energy, and social life - Kraftnavet, a place for businesses, meetings, and development. Heritage value is placed at the core of the architectural concept, inviting public engagement while supporting the long-term urban transformation of the Varberg’s Västerport.
KRAFTNAVET demonstrates a high level of architectural quality rooted in a conscious dialogue with the site’s cultural and industrial history. The existing Eternitfabriken structure is revitalised and opened to the public, preserving its robust framework while introducing new spatial and social value. The building’s identity is made visible from the city skyline through a contemporary reinterpretation of the historical asbestos-cement profile, expressed as a recognizable wave-shaped roof crown.
The building is organized around a flexible structural system of pillars and beams, enabling adaptability and long-term transformation. A shared central atrium - the Great Hall - forms the heart of the project, remaining publicly accessible and primarily used for circulation, events, and informal encounters. This shared space fosters interaction between different functions and user groups while bringing daylight and natural air circulation to all floors.
