The Bean

The assignment was to design high-standard accommodation for guest researchers who will be working at the ESS facility in Lund, which is under construction. ESS stands for European Spallation Source – a research centre based on the use of the world’s most powerful neutron source. The shape of a bean gives rounded and soft contours tucked away among the mature deciduous trees on the site. One of the prerequisites was to retain an existing office building. The bean-shaped building utilises the plot and the relationship with the existing building to good advantage and will be an imposing sight when viewed from the street. The foyer with a staircase to all floors is designed to offer opportunities for the residents to have spontaneous meetings. This residential building offers good views towards the site and campus of the Lund University of Technology.