Nobel Center Moves Forward

This news is particularly good for both Chipperfield and his client, since one year ago there was so much political opposition to the project and the design of the building that it looked like the new home of the Nobel Foundation would not be built as envisioned. In an April 2015 article in The Independent, "Rasmus Jonlund, a Liberal politician and vice chairman of the city council’s cultural environment committee, dismissed the design as little more than a 'shiny box': 'This proposal is not very interesting, it’s not good enough...we should build something spectacular and interesting and modern but it has to be built with respect for the place and the surroundings'."

There was also opposition from Stockholm’s City Museum and a local group with around 10,000 members. In turn, Chipperfield scaled back the design, stating in September 2015: "While the fundamental concept of the 'Nobelhuset' remains the same, the building has been reduced significantly in size. The modified design integrates the Nobel Center even better in its urban context and establishes a lively interaction with the citizens and visitors of Stockholm."

Per a statement from Chipperfield's office earlier this week, "Lars Heikensten, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, described the result as a 'resounding yes from political leaders in Stockholm'." The new building has been designed around the annual celebration of the Nobel Prize ceremony for science, literature and economics. The public building will also include spaces for exhibitions, educational programs, scientific meetings and lectures, and hospitality. With this "resounding yes," construction is due to start in 2017.