Kulturväven

Story

Väven is a cultural center in Umeå, Sweden located next to Ume River. Väven will open in autumn 2014, the year that Umeå is one of the two European Capital of Culture. Culture fabric will include several cultural institutions that have been moved from other parts of town, as well as some new cultural initiatives. Building costs, the collaborations that have formed and the relocation of the town library to the new building has caused debate in Umeå.The BuildingThe building covers most of the block Heimdal and is located in central Umeå, between Storgatan and the Ume River. Väven was built in 2011-2014 as part of the urban development project City between the bridges. The client is Umeå Municipality and the local real estate company Balticgruppen, through the jointly owned company Väven in Umeå AB.Väven consists of two buildings which merges into one on the third floor, forming a portal above Strandgatan. The house closest to the river, south of Strandgatan, consists of four floors and will include a so-called "black box", with space for 400 seated or 1,000 standing visitors. The four lower levels of the building closest to the road Storgatan have about 15,000 square meters of area that Umeå municipality disposes of their businesses, including libraries. There is also a covered market hall in direct proximity to the Stora Hotellet. From level 5 and above there are plans for hotels, conference and restaurants in the Balticgruppen's auspices.