Vinterrum i Upplands-Bro, LINK Arkitektur

Winter room

A place in the woods and a handbook of placemaking in the winter

How do you get people to people to stay outside in the cold, dark season? This is a handbook of placemaking in the winter and a meeting place in the woods in a Scandinavian town.

Upplands-Bro Municipality, in collaboration with LINK Arkitektur and a dedicated local community, has transformed an unused and unsafe forest grove in the center of Bro. Given the existing range of sports and traditional winter activities, we aimed to create a space that fosters a less defined and more inclusive culture. Notable design features include an accessible footbridge, a communal fireplace for cooking, and a fairy tale trail. Additionally, the municipality organizes various events at the site to engage different target groups.

The community meeting space in Bro, along with the development of the handbook, is a project funded by Vinnova.

Often, simple approaches can significantly impact, while more extensive measures may sometimes be necessary. However, we must engage in broad local collaboration during the design process to ensure that a place is used and appreciated over time. Each place and its people are unique, making placemaking so rewarding. By following a few fundamental principles outlined in our manual, we can create something new that enhances the identity of the place and reflects the community that inhabits it

Karin Hammarskiöld, Head of Urbanism at LINK Arkitektur