Good acoustics at award-winning museum

Elding Oscarson’s extension to the Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art (Skissernas Museum) won the Kasper Salin Award 2017, the most prestigious distinction in Swedish architecture.

The entrance, which faces onto the sculpture park, was previously far too modest. The extension is conceived to stand out and announce the museum’s existence by the University Library in the academic city of Lund.

“Part of the charm of the museum is that it has been so hidden from view that it’s been a challenge to open the building outwards,” says Jonas Elding, who worked at the Japanese architecture firm SANAA before starting his own firm with Johan Oscarson.

The large common room serves as an introduction for visitors to one of Sweden’s most unique art museums, a collection of curiosities containing sketches for public art from all over the world, with famous names such as Sonia Delaunay, Siri Derkert and Le Corbusier.

Directly adjacent to the museum is also a sizeable restaurant with furniture by Elding Oscarson, providing an addition to Lund’s fairly scant offering of restaurants. The weathering steel facade contrasts with the warm wooden interior.

The high ceilings of the foyer necessitate good acoustics to ensure that the building is functional even when school classes visit the museum.

“The Troldtekt acoustic panels with an ultrafine structure ensure a harmonious surface while providing a fully sound-absorbent ceiling, which has been supplemented with hidden mineral wool and air gaps,” says Jonas Elding.