Picture these thirteen almost identical buildings. They stand proudly in Längården a neighbourhood of Malmö. Built in the early 1930s they were designed by architect Carl-Axel Stoltz. Längården wasn’t just another housing project. It represented a bold new era for workers in Malmö. These four-story buildings with their gables angled towards Länggatan were conceived to provide homes for the working class. Each apartment small but efficient featured a WC with shower and a closet a rarity at the time.
Längården’s history goes back further than its construction. The area reflects the architectural transition in early 20th-century Sweden a blend of functionalist style and lingering classicism. The apartments themselves were mostly 1.5 rooms and a kitchen. Some larger corner units offered 2.5 rooms adding a touch of luxury to the modest development. The buildings are known as lamellhus or slab blocks their design reflecting the space-saving needs of a growing city.
Think of the families that lived here. Imagine the sounds of children playing in the courtyards. Hear the conversations in the stairwells. See the laundry hanging out to dry. This wasn’t just bricks and mortar. It was a community. A vibrant hub of working-class life.
In 1935 the residents of two buildings at Länggatan 52 and 54 formed BRF Raden a housing cooperative. They took collective responsibility for their homes. This cooperation extended to a significant renovation project in 2016. This involved not only restoring the facades which included removing asbestos sheets and replacing them with a modern system but also expanding the stairwell entrances. The colours chosen carefully reflect Längården’s historical significance. They were chosen in consultation with the building authorities and the Malmö Museum.
So as you stand here you aren’t just looking at buildings. You are looking at a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the working class. You see a community built to last. A reminder of Malmö’s rich and diverse history. Längården isn’t just a neighbourhood. It’s a story. A story that continues to be written every day.