Photo: Patrik Löfgren, Bildfabriken.
Today marked the start of construction for the development of Universum and on site to break the symbolic first sod were representatives from Akademiska Hus, Umeå University and Peab.
Universum was inaugurated in 1970 and is one of Campus Umeå's most central buildings. It is physically connected to Aurora, Aula Nordica and the Natural Sciences Building and is strategically adjacent to Norrland University Hospital. Over the years, Universum has been an obvious gathering point for both students and Umeå residents. Work is now underway to future-proof the building and adapt it to new needs.
"It feels great that today we are putting the shovel in the ground and taking the next step in the development of Universum. Here we will create an open and vibrant meeting place that provides even better conditions for people and businesses to meet. At the same time, we are strengthening both Campus Umeå and Umeå as a city of knowledge," says Ulf Widmark, Property Manager at Akademiska Hus.
Exterior reconstruction of Universum. Sketch: White Arkitekter.
More study places and new meeting environments
The renovation covers just over 12,000 square meters and Akademiska Hus is investing approximately SEK 200 million in the development project. When the work is completed, Universum will offer 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 activities.
Existing businesses such as a lunch restaurant, student pub and hairdresser will continue to be located in Universum. The same applies to Umeå University's Infocenter together with ITS Service Desk, the Student Health Service and student guidance services, as well as Akademiska Hus' coworking environment A Working Lab, which today houses growing companies, innovation organisations and various growth drivers in areas such as gaming.
The restaurant in Universum. Sketch: White Arkitekter.
The renovation will make Universum more flexible over time, with premises and technical installations that make it possible for several businesses to use the same space. The building's western entrance will also be redesigned. The existing entrances to Universum and Aula Nordica will be merged to create a new main entrance to both Universum and the campus area as a whole.
The project is being carried out 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.
"The groundbreaking ceremony today marks the start of making the Universe a clearer hub in what we call the University City of Umeå. The goal is for the campus to be integrated into the cityscape to a greater extent and become a much clearer part of Umeå and feel like a 'second centre'. We know it will be messy for a while, but it is inevitable when we want to be a university that is constantly evolving and aims to remain an important meeting place for students and researchers from all over the world and a regional development engine," says Patrik Danielson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.
Atrium in Universum. Sketch: White Arkitekter.
Universum Park is being developed at the same time
In parallel with the redevelopment of Universum, Akademiska Hus is developing the adjacent Universum Park. The investment is estimated to amount to approximately SEK 35 million and will create a green, safe and welcoming park environment with more places for studying, working and meeting outdoors.
The development will contribute to increased flows on campus for more hours of the day and strengthen the area as a vibrant meeting place for both students and the general public. Universumparken will also have a new entrance square for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
The redevelopment of Universum and the development of Universumparken have now begun and are expected to be completed by the autumn semester of 2028. During the construction period, the operations in Universum will move to temporary premises on campus. The tenants in the part of the building called the Annex can remain throughout the construction period.
