lady dandelion

These photos are from one of my favourite neighbourhoods. It was built in the late 1950’s and created by the architect Gunnar Leche – town architect with an original mind. His greatness consists in combining function and modernity with humane proportions and originality. He also had an unfailing eye for details and the skill to make the most out of what he was working on. This neighbourhood was built to provide housing for common people in the end of the 1950’s  and is now one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Uppsala – a fairly small town about 70 km north of Stockholm. The town also accommodates Uppsala University – the oldest university in Scandinavia –  founded 1477.

The university and the cathedral (originating from the 13th century) tend to overshadow the other parts of the town, which in some ways are a pity, since there is much other interesting architecture to look at here – as the buildings created by the visionary Gunnar Leche.

Attention to the details – providing variation and preventing monotone uniformity – making a homey atmosphere. I was also delighted to find the wind vanes and the beautiful little wind carousel.

The whole neighbourhood is characterized by fantasy, humanity and an eye for what makes people comfortable and at home. The  three main blocks  – with yards that are green and flourishing in the summer – are named after Astrid Lindgren’s (Swedish writer of books for children) Noisy Village (Bullerbyn in Swedish) – The North Cottage, The Middle Cottage and The South Cottage.

You find another post about Leche here and more information about Swedish and Nordic architecture here.