Vectura Campus F — Stockholm

Life science campus architecture reimagined for dense urban environments defines Vectura Campus F, a hybrid vertical campus designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen in Stockholm. Unlike traditional campus models composed of multiple buildings, this project introduces a compact, stacked structure that integrates education, research, business, and public life into a single cohesive architectural system. The project is conceived as a vibrant hub where life science education, research, and entrepreneurship converge. It aims to attract world-leading companies, start-ups, and talent, while also engaging the broader public through a diverse program that extends beyond a typical research facility. At the heart of the building is the “Orangery”, a continuous, publicly accessible spatial sequence that winds through the structure and connects its many functions. This internal “vein” acts as the social and architectural backbone of the project, linking laboratories, co-working spaces, meeting facilities, housing, and cultural programs into a unified experience. The design emphasizes both visual and physical connectivity. Three full-height atria and a system of DNA-inspired staircases promote vertical interaction, encouraging informal encounters between researchers, students, and professionals from different disciplines. This approach fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and strengthens the building’s identity as a dynamic innovation environment. Urban integration is a key driver of the project. Located at the intersection of multiple districts—including Hagastaden and the Karolinska Institute—the building acts as a connector between diverse urban contexts. The southern façade curves to form a new city front, while quieter green plazas on other sides welcome visitors and create accessible public spaces. The program is highly diverse, including laboratories, offices, co-working environments, student and researcher housing, retail spaces, restaurants, and cultural facilities. This mix ensures continuous activity throughout the day and transforms the campus into a lively urban destination rather than a single-purpose institution. At the upper levels, stepped volumes and rooftop terraces provide panoramic views of Stockholm while integrating the building into the surrounding skyline. The roofscape is designed as a green recreational space, supporting biodiversity and offering areas for social interaction. Ultimately, Vectura Campus F represents a new model for urban campuses—one that merges science, business, and public life into a connected, vertical ecosystem that reflects the evolving nature of research and collaboration.