Gästrike Hammarby

Ralph Erskine was an eclectic. He chose what he thought fit and made the combinations become something completely his own. The community of Gästrike Hammarby was built with the ideals of the British garden city movement in mind. In his youth, he had worked for one of the movement's representatives and knew the principles well. Therefore, the houses were grouped around "the village green" and when he was later commissioned to also design the pulp mill, it was placed right next to the residential area, contrary to prevailing principles. The sense of an industrial heritage was clarified by the choice of slag stone and high chimneys. They not only recall the contours of the old forges but also emphasize the significance of the fireplace in the Nordic climate.