“Em prol” a word whispered on a train journey in 1903. This phrase meaning “an advantage” became the name Prol a factory that once stood proudly in Högdalens industriområde.
Today we stand before Högdalens industriområde a testament to Stockholm’s industrial past. Originally envisioned in the early 1950s this area was planned to provide jobs for the residents of the newly built Högdalen and Bandhagen neighborhoods. The development continued into the mid 1970s creating a dedicated industrial zone.
The layout is striking. Main thoroughfares like Stallarholmsvägen Harpsundsvägen and Kvicksundsvägen cut through the area. Access points are from Örbyleden to the northeast and Magelungsvägen to the southwest. Street names even hint at its history referencing photography terms like Blixtlampan (Flashbulb) and Filmkameran (Film Camera). Even the artificial Högdalstoppen a hill created from excavated materials in 1955 overlooks this remarkable area.
The buildings themselves speak volumes. Many are constructed from painted or plastered lightweight concrete frames. Red brick facades and corrugated sheet metal are common. Originally mechanical workshops manufacturing plants and warehouses filled the area.
Prols fabrik a pioneer of this industrial zone stands out. Its red roof bearing the PROL lettering is an iconic sight along Harpsundsvägen. But here’s a little something you may not know: the roof is painted with a patented temperature-sensitive pigment. Its color changes with temperature fluctuations above 5 degrees Celsius shifting from light in cooler temperatures to dark in warmer ones. This effect is best observed at sunrise or sunset.
Car-related businesses dominate the area now. Since 1970 Opus Bilprovning AB a vehicle inspection company has had a branch here. Since autumn 2015 Stockholm Vatten the city’s water utility has its control center in a newly constructed office building. Four major facilities mark the area: Högdalsdepån an electrical high-voltage substation Högdalenverket with Högdalsgasverket and the Vantör recycling center.
Stockholm’s vision for Högdalens industriområde reaches far into the future. Under the banner “Högdalen 2020 – a world-class industrial area” the city aims to transform it into a sustainable industrial district. New services and jobs in environmental technology are planned. Existing facilities will become more energy-efficient. Energy consumption in buildings will decrease to under 100 kWh per square meter per year even lower than the Swedish National Board of Housing Building and Planning standards for residential houses. Extensive photovoltaic installations on building roofs are proposed.
So next time you drive past or walk near Högdalens industriområde take a moment to appreciate its rich history its unique architecture and its future potential. It’s more than just an industrial area it’s a microcosm of Stockholm’s evolution.