![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-01.jpg)
Located on the quayside of the Munksjön lake, these two urban housing blocks are based on a long term strategy of sustainability, creating attractive housing on one of the best sites in central Jönköping.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-02.jpg)
Rather than a row of standard housing slabs, the requested number of apartments was assembled into two large units.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-03.jpg)
The two compact volumes establish a solid position proportionally acceptable both to the city as well as the lake. It also minimizes the building envelope in line with the low energy concept.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-05-1.jpg)
An outer layer of terraces surrounds the perimeter of the buildings and provides all apartments with generous outdoor spaces.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-06.jpg)
These are contained within a transparent screen of anodized aluminum that diffuses the light and with its arched shapes creates alternating open and filtered views.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-07.jpg)
It offers a buffer zone between the intimate domestic interior of the apartments and the vast scale of the water landscape and urban context outside.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-08.jpg)
By shifting the voids in the screen every second level, a characteristic pattern emerges that unites the six floors into one distinct cubical volume.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-09.jpg)
The apartments are organized around a large vertical atrium, a top lit stairwell dignifies a grand entrance hall and provides an important interior space for visitors and tenants in which to socialize.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-04.jpg)
The atrium hall also functions as a natural preheating of fresh air, thus contributing to over all energy efficiency.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-10.jpg)
The majority of the apartments are located in the corners, all benefitting from good views and light.Source by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter.
![Västra Kajen Housing](https://aasarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/Vastra-Kajen-Housing-by-Tham-and-Videgard-Arkitekter-11.jpg)
Location: Jönköping, Sweden
Architects: Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Chief architects: Bolle Tham and Martin Videgård
Project Team: Eric Engström, Mårten Nettelbladt, Malin Belfrage, Helene Amundsen, Karolina Nyström, Marcus Andrén, Andreas Helgesson, Dennis Suppers.
Client: Vätterhem and Riksbyggen.
Area: 10.900 sqm.
Year: 2015
Photographs: Lindman Photography, Courtesy of Tham & Videgård Arkitekter