Latest
issue
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
David Chipperfield's golden Nobel Center gets the green light from Stockholm City Council
POSTED 27 Apr 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Chipperfield's design won an architecture competition in 2014 Credit: Nobel Center
Stockholm City Council has approved David Chipperfield’s controversial design for a permanent home and museum for the Nobel Foundation.

Under the proposals, a 25,000sq m (269,000sq ft) golden, cuboid facility will be constructed to house nearly all the foundation’s activities, including the Nobel prize ceremony, and to stimulate ideas and knowledge through a museum.

However, the new headquarters will be located in an inner-city Blasieholmen district surrounded by many of the Swedish capital’s oldest landmarks and museums. Two historic buildings potentially face demolition and local campaigners have lined up against the scheme.

But at a council ballot held on 25 April, the proposal passed with 54 votes for and 43 against.

Councillor Magnus Nilsson said: “I understand that it evokes much emotion and to build in the inner city is difficult, for the simple reason that we love our city. However, I think that this knowledge centre is something we should be proud of.”

Lars Heikensten, executive director of the Nobel Foundation, said: “We are pleased with this resounding yes from the political leaders in Stockholm. I am convinced that the building in itself and the activities that will take place there will be highly appreciated.”

Carl-Henrik Heldin, the foundation’s chair, added: “The public nature of the building – with its unique exhibitions, extensive activities for school children as well as meeting and lecture programmes – will be an asset for all of Stockholm and Sweden.

“Our ambition is to ensure that all children in Sweden will have an opportunity to visit the Nobel Center once during their schooling to learn about the 900 Nobel Laureates who have been rewarded over the years.”

However, a Preserve Blasieholmen Facebook group, which numbers 12,000 people campaigning to protect the historic building’s in the region, vowed to fight the development.

In a statement, they said: “The decision is disappointing but expected. However, the strength of the resistance gives us hope. Blasieholmen will be destroyed over our dead body.”

David Chipperfield and practice partner Christoph Felger were selected by a unanimous jury in April 2014 as the winners of the Nobel Center architectural competition.

Speaking about the design, Chipperfield has said: "It has a certain classical simplicity and solidity. It tries to find a balance between being solid on the one hand and transparent on the other."

The foundation’s aim is to begin construction in 2017, with completion about two years later. The budget for the project is Skr1.2bn (US$148m, €131m, £101m), mostly raised in private funding.


The building will host the Nobel Prize and house a Nobel museum Credit: Nobel Center
The scheme has attracted criticism from campaigners who believe it will spoil the city's historic downtown area Credit: Nobel Center
RELATED STORIES
  Sweden's proposed Nobel Centre comes up against opposition from local group


A heritage row has erupted over plans to build a permanent home and museum for the Nobel prize – the first in the award’s 114-year history.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
National Event Planning and Logistics Officer
English Heritage
Salary: £30,190 - £32,636pa + matched pension + benefits
Job location: Home-based with countrywide travel , United Kingdom
+ More jobs  

COMPANY PROFILES
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
David Chipperfield's golden Nobel Center gets the green light from Stockholm City Council
POSTED 27 Apr 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Chipperfield's design won an architecture competition in 2014 Credit: Nobel Center
Stockholm City Council has approved David Chipperfield’s controversial design for a permanent home and museum for the Nobel Foundation.

Under the proposals, a 25,000sq m (269,000sq ft) golden, cuboid facility will be constructed to house nearly all the foundation’s activities, including the Nobel prize ceremony, and to stimulate ideas and knowledge through a museum.

However, the new headquarters will be located in an inner-city Blasieholmen district surrounded by many of the Swedish capital’s oldest landmarks and museums. Two historic buildings potentially face demolition and local campaigners have lined up against the scheme.

But at a council ballot held on 25 April, the proposal passed with 54 votes for and 43 against.

Councillor Magnus Nilsson said: “I understand that it evokes much emotion and to build in the inner city is difficult, for the simple reason that we love our city. However, I think that this knowledge centre is something we should be proud of.”

Lars Heikensten, executive director of the Nobel Foundation, said: “We are pleased with this resounding yes from the political leaders in Stockholm. I am convinced that the building in itself and the activities that will take place there will be highly appreciated.”

Carl-Henrik Heldin, the foundation’s chair, added: “The public nature of the building – with its unique exhibitions, extensive activities for school children as well as meeting and lecture programmes – will be an asset for all of Stockholm and Sweden.

“Our ambition is to ensure that all children in Sweden will have an opportunity to visit the Nobel Center once during their schooling to learn about the 900 Nobel Laureates who have been rewarded over the years.”

However, a Preserve Blasieholmen Facebook group, which numbers 12,000 people campaigning to protect the historic building’s in the region, vowed to fight the development.

In a statement, they said: “The decision is disappointing but expected. However, the strength of the resistance gives us hope. Blasieholmen will be destroyed over our dead body.”

David Chipperfield and practice partner Christoph Felger were selected by a unanimous jury in April 2014 as the winners of the Nobel Center architectural competition.

Speaking about the design, Chipperfield has said: "It has a certain classical simplicity and solidity. It tries to find a balance between being solid on the one hand and transparent on the other."

The foundation’s aim is to begin construction in 2017, with completion about two years later. The budget for the project is Skr1.2bn (US$148m, €131m, £101m), mostly raised in private funding.


The building will host the Nobel Prize and house a Nobel museum Credit: Nobel Center
The scheme has attracted criticism from campaigners who believe it will spoil the city's historic downtown area Credit: Nobel Center
RELATED STORIES
Sweden's proposed Nobel Centre comes up against opposition from local group


A heritage row has erupted over plans to build a permanent home and museum for the Nobel prize – the first in the award’s 114-year history.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS