Swedish architectural practice White Arkitekter has unveiled its design for Sonyas, a landmark building destined to be both a cultural centre and home to the firm’s new headquarters in Gothenburg. Combining ambitious climate goals with strong social values, the project brings together workspaces, culture and public life in one of the city’s most significant redevelopment areas.
Situated on the banks of the Göta River within the emerging Masthuggskajen district, Sonyas has been conceived as a pavilion-like destination within a green public setting, offering a distinct counterpoint to the taller neighbouring buildings that frame it.
Named after beloved jazz singer and cultural icon Sonya Hedenbratt, the building is intended as a place where the city’s business and cultural communities intersect. It will also become the future home of White Arkitekter’s Gothenburg office, placing the practice at the heart of a project centred on collaboration, exchange and community.
At the heart of the design is an adaptable space designed to support multiple functions and communities through shared use. When completed in the autumn of 2027, the building will house cultural activities, a music venue, a restaurant, workplaces and public spaces. Flexible layouts will allow spaces to adapt over time, shifting from workspaces during the day to cultural venues in the evening.
Sonyas reflects a growing recognition of the role of culture in creating vibrant and economically resilient urban districts. Research by Fastighetsägarna, the Swedish property owners’ association, found that new cultural activities are associated with an average 4.3% increase in city-centre turnover in small and medium-sized cities. By creating a permanent home for cultural activity within Masthuggskajen, Sonyas aims to contribute to the area’s long-term social and economic vitality.
Developed with Broods and construction partner BRA Group, Sonyas’ architecture embodies the project’s environmental and social ambitions. A solid brick volume provides a durable and adaptable framework for everyday use, while a celebratory roof form gives architectural expression to the building’s public and cultural role.
Sustainability has informed the design throughout. The timber structure reduces the frame’s climate impact by almost 80% compared with steel and concrete, while reused and recycled materials help reduce the façade’s impact by around 65%. The project is targeting a climate impact of 230 kg CO₂e/m² GFA, estimated to be around 68% lower than that of a conventional construction project.
Designed for long-term adaptability, the building has also been planned to accommodate changing uses over time. Flexible layouts and a high degree of shared use will help maximise the value of the space, ensuring the building can evolve alongside future needs while extending its lifespan.
Construction is progressing on site, with the structural frame now complete and roof installation underway.
Jacob Sahlqvist, Managing Director of White Arkitekter’s Gothenburg Studio, said:
“Sonyas is founded on the idea that architecture can bring people together. By combining workplaces, culture and public life in one building, we are creating a space that supports community exchange and social growth. Culture plays a vital role in creating vibrant and inclusive cities, and Sonyas has been designed to encourage encounters between different people, organisations and communities. It is especially meaningful that Sonyas will become White Arkitekter’s future Gothenburg home, and we are incredibly excited to become part of a building that reflects many of our core values”
Sonyas is set to become a benchmark for sustainable cultural infrastructure, demonstrating how design can support environmental responsibility and a more connected urban life.