Since 2017, Snøhetta has been engaged in the transformation of an old quarry to an environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhood in Mölnlycke, outside Gothenburg in Sweden. What started as a lofty concept of healing a wound in the ground and regenerating the surrounding nature has now manifested itself as a garden city with varied housing typologies suitable for any family. Wendelstrand offers diverse public areas and a park that meanders through the development and has its crescendo as the roofscape of Lakehouse – a communal building to be used and enjoyed by everyone living or visiting Wendelstrand.

How do you prevent a new residential area from becoming just a drowsy commuter town? In the district of Wendelstrand outside Mölnlycke, Sweden, the development has been turned on its head: a large and innovative community building was completed even before the sales launch of the 1,000 homes that will surround it. The Lakehouse includes office spaces, a fitness center, and dining venues, serving as a shared arena where residents can meet, thrive, and build a sense of community. Wendelstrand is a former quarry surrounded by forest, water, and expansive open spaces. Here, one can live green and rurally with immediate access to exercise, workplaces, relaxation, and culinary experiences, while still being within reach of Gothenburg and all the city has to offer. The homes will be nestled in generous green areas with opportunities for mushroom picking, forest walks, and morning swims in Lake Landveer.

The area is designed to support a sustainable lifestyle centered around nature, with pedestrian- and bike-friendly environments, good public transport, and shared services like electric car pools. The development emphasizes conscious material choices, energy-efficient solutions, and thoughtful planning to minimize its climate footprint. Additionally, it aims to create a place where people not only live and work but also connect and enjoy life. The building serves as a gathering place that connects nature and culture, where residents can work side by side or simply relax, rent spaces for events large or small, and enjoy food and fitness offerings. The Lakehouse is designed to invite people in, onto, and around it.

The elongated structure rises like a spine in the landscape, creating a seamless transition between the existing and the new, indoors and outdoors, and private and shared spaces. Both the form and materials are inspired by the site's past as a quarry and the natural terrain structures. The two lower floors are rooted in the world of stone, embedded in and resting atop the bedrock. Here, concrete and stone floors dominate, grounding the structure in its natural surroundings. At the building's tallest point, a central open atrium rises through all levels, creating a dramatic vertical space that draws in light and connects the interior volumes. This generous, multi-purpose area is designed to host concerts, performances, or simply offer a welcoming spot for conversation and relaxation. It can also be rented for private events. The seating continues outdoors into an open-air amphitheater overlooking the lake, highlighting the seamless intersection of nature and development.

The top floors draw inspiration from the surrounding trees, with glulam and laminated timber structures made from Swedish and Norwegian pine and spruce, that also form the visible interior surfaces. The entire structure is framed by large glass panels with strategically placed patterns, an artistic embellishment that creates a play of light reminiscent of sunlight through treetops, while also minimizing heat load and the need for sunshading. The top of the building mimics treetops, with open rooftop gardens, terraces, and walkways. The roof is covered with forest floor mats consisting of moss, heather, blueberries, grass, wildflowers, and other native plants. This helps delay water runoff, reduces the risk of overheating, and fosters biodiversity, while also being an attraction in itself.