The Universe was inaugurated in 1970 and is one of the campus's most central buildings. Over the years, it has been an obvious gathering point for both students and Umeå residents. Now the building – which is physically connected to Aurora, Aula Nordica and the Science Building and strategically located adjacent to the University Hospital of Northern Sweden – will be future-proofed to meet new needs.
"Universum has long been an important meeting place on campus. With this investment, we are taking the next step in creating a vibrant place that is open to everyone, and we are developing an attractive environment that strengthens both the campus and Umeå as a city of knowledge," says Christian Jönsson, Property Director at Akademiska Hus.
Flexible premises for existing and new businesses
The renovation covers just over 12,000 square meters. When the project is completed, Universum will contain more study places, new group rooms, expanded conference and meeting areas and a developed event space. The range of services will also be strengthened with new operations. At the same time, existing businesses such as a lunch restaurant, student pub and hairdresser remain. The same goes for Umeå University's Infocenter together with the ITS Service Desk, the Student Health Service and the Student Guidance Service's functions, as well as Akademiska Hus' coworking environment A Working Lab, which today houses growing companies, innovation organizations and various growth drivers in areas such as gaming.
Through the reconstruction, Universum will be a modern building with premises and technical installations that enable flexible use over time and where the same area can be used by several people. In addition, the western entrance will be redesigned when the existing entrances to Universum and Aula Nordica are merged. In this way, a new main entrance to both the Universe and to the campus as a whole is created. The redevelopment is taking place in close dialogue with Umeå University and is in line with both the university's campus plan and the municipality's urban development programme for the University City.
"Universum has a central role as the heart of the campus, and this investment by Akademiska Hus will strengthen the building as an open and inclusive meeting place for students, staff and the outside world. Together with Aurora and Aula Nordica, a strong cluster is created that links together student support, study environments and collaboration. This will also be an important step in the development of the campus as a vibrant part of the University City of Umeå, where the goal is for the campus to be integrated to a greater extent into the cityscape and become Umeå's 'second centre'," says Patrik Danielson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.
Universum Park is developing in parallel
In parallel with the redevelopment of Universum, Akademiska Hus is also developing the adjacent Universum Park. The investment, which is estimated to amount to approximately SEK 35 million, will create a green, safe and welcoming park environment that offers more places for studying, working and meeting outdoors. The park is being developed to provide increased flow on campus for more hours of the day and strengthen the area as a vibrant meeting place for both students and the general public. The investment also contributes to Universumparken being provided with an entrance square for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
The reconstruction of the University Park and the Universe is planned to start in September 2026 and be completed by the autumn semester of 2028. The operations that are currently located in Universum will move to temporary premises on campus while the renovation is in progress, with the exception of the tenants who are in the part of the building called the Annex and who will be able to remain throughout the work.
Christian Jönsson
Direktör Fastighet & Teknik och Service
