Kårallen was built in 1987 and is the heart of student life at Campus Valla. Here you will find the student unions' activities, study places, restaurant, office and association premises as well as premises for social activities such as pubs and parties. Parts of the building will now be developed to meet the new premises needs of Linköping University and Kårservice.
"Kårallen has an important role for student life and is one of the central meeting places on Campus Valla. Through this investment, we can, together with Linköping University and Kårservice, develop the existing building and create an environment that students experience as their second home," says Christian Jönsson, Property Director at Akademiska Hus.
A central part of the project is to modernise Kårallen's existing commercial kitchen. Today's kitchen is oversized and technically worn out, and is being replaced by a more space-efficient and modern preparation kitchen with its own restaurant dining room. When the kitchen is reduced in size, centrally located areas are also freed up that can be used in new ways.
More space for students
The renovation means, among other things, that Oktanten, Kårallen's largest and most central room, will be accessible to students to a greater extent than today. This will create opportunities for studies and lunch during the day, while the room can continue to be used for events in the evenings. The entrance hall will also be developed and opened up to create a more welcoming and cohesive environment with direct contact to Kåra, the new restaurant dining room and Oktanten.
"Kårallen is so much more than a building for our students – it is one of the most important places for student life at Campus Valla. For us at Kårservice, this redevelopment is above all about creating even better conditions for meetings, community and engagement, which are adapted to the students' needs. By opening up more spaces for students during larger parts of the day and at the same time maintaining the opportunity for a vibrant event and nightlife, Kårallen will develop into an even more natural meeting place – from morning to evening, says Louise Martin Linge, Marketing Manager and Business Development Manager at Kårservice.
The project has been developed in close dialogue between Akademiska Hus, Linköping University and Kårservice. The goal is to meet new needs within the existing building and at the same time ensure functional and long-term sustainable premises.
"For many, student life is an important part of their time at Linköping University and something they carry with them long after graduation. Now we want to give Kårallen even better conditions to be a place where students can meet, socialise and create new memories," says Joakim Nejdeby, Head of the Division of Digitalisation and Campus Development at Linköping University.
Kårallen comprises a total of approximately 5,800 m2 of leasable area. The renovation will start in January 2027 and is expected to be completed in December of the same year.
Christian Jönsson
Direktör Fastighet & Teknik och Service
