Client projects: Campus Dalsland

Professional study environment with a feeling of home

The vision was to create a welcoming and homely atmosphere for the students. This is what Kristina Sandström, Operations Manager at Campus Dalsland, says. “Kinnarps listened and has realised our vision of a professional and homelike study environment in a way that is sustainable for the long term,” she says.

Campus Dalsland is a local campus located in Bäckefors that offers study opportunities in collaboration with universities and colleges. The aim is to raise the area’s level of education and contribute to the supply of skills in Dalsland.

"Proximity to universities and colleges is one of the deciding factors for whether people choose to continue their studies or not. In fact, all higher education institutions primarily recruit locally, including the large and established ones. With our decentralised operations, we give people and businesses in the region better access to knowledge and education," says Sandström.

The campus is an initiative by the municipalities of Dalsland, with financial support from the Västra Götaland region. It is housed in newly renovated premises that used to be a staff canteen and kitchen in a hospital building. It is now home to everything from an inviting entrance and canteen to classrooms, separate study areas and staff rooms.

"We have placed great emphasis on creating a study environment with an extra touch, a place that students long for, where they want to spend as much time as possible. The teaching method is based on students actually being here and studying, as this increases quality and throughput," says Sandström.

The safe, homely atmosphere of the interior design does not mean that it compromises on functionality or the impression of seriousness. “No, quite the contrary. It is important that the working environment feels professional and well thought-out to signal to our students that this is serious,” says Sandström. She continues: "This also means that we have chosen durable, quality furniture that we can live with for a long time or renovate and add to when necessary. But we do it our way by combining a public environment with harmonious, soft, calm and inviting elements."

The nature of operations requires the 600 square metre premises to be flexible and versatile. "Everything is planned and made such that it can be changed and used in many different ways. There are no dead spots here. All spaces are easy to rearrange and much of the furnishings have castors to increase flexibility. We have to think smart. For example, in my office I have a conference table instead of a desk, so it can also be used as a meeting room," says Sandström.

Hybrid teaching also places special demands on the classrooms, which need to be functional for on-site students and the online lecturer alike. A challenge in terms of acoustics, lighting and the inclusion of all students in the educational environment.

Kristina Sandström believes that the collaboration between the property owner Västfastigheter, the architects Contekton and Kinnarps was crucial to the success of the result. Based on the campus’ logo, for example, a colour scale was developed that then reappears through all colour choices on both walls and in the interior design with the purpose of ensuring a coherent whole.

"We have limited space and, of course, a limited budget, so it’s especially important to do everything right from the start – from the overall idea to attention to every detail. Here, Kinnarps’ expertise and sense of service have been invaluable. This is a long-term holistic solution that gives our students the best conditions for success."