Swedish Grace is a term coined by contemporaries to denote neoclassical Swedish design from the 1910s and 1920s.

The most representative buildings from this era, such as the Stockholm City Library by Gunnar Asplund, the Resurrection Chapel by Sigurd Lewerentz and the Stockholm Concert Hall by Ivar Tengbom, are all world-famous, and most of what was built during the period is among the most highly regarded architecture in Sweden.

In this anthology, specialists from Sweden as well as other countries discuss different perspectives on Swedish Grace and show aspects that are still relevant today.

Houses made of slag – many have never seen them, others stand in awe of the slag bricks that shimmer in blue, green, gray and even change color with the light. Intriguing structures, tiny lumps of iron, charcoal striations – what can’t you find when you take a closer look at the building material? What is it, many people ask today. When were the houses built? Why was cinder block made?

Slagstone is our first artificial building stone, used in ore fields as an alternative to building timber. The forest was needed for the production of charcoal, the fuel for smelting ore and the extraction of copper and iron. The metals were exported, bringing income to Sweden and raising people’s standard of living. Slag was a by-product of metal production. The metals have been sold around the world, the workplaces are closed down and gone – but the slag remains and tells us – about ores and technological development, about heavy manual labor and skilled craftsmanship. No two cinder blocks are the same. Never again can one be made.

DESCRIPTION The book aims to raise awareness of the buildings. The oldest ones date from the 18th century, the youngest from the early 20th century. They are churches or cellars and everything in between. The pictures aim to show how amazing the buildings are and the text provides information about their background, construction and care. The hope is that people will be inspired to take pride in the slag houses and care for these unique buildings, made from a material that is irreplaceable today.

TIP Don’t forget to take a look at our beautiful Bagarstuga in Gysinge, which is built of cinder block.

Wallpaper through the ages – Perspectives from the Engelsberg Mill World Heritage Site.

Wallpaper has been one of our most important wall decorations for centuries and in various forms. Attitudes towards wallpaper have changed over time, especially in recent decades, but today there is a strong and growing interest in wallpaper and the historic preservation of buildings.

This book, which is the first stand-alone volume in a series on the Engelsberg Mill World Heritage Site, contributes to a better understanding of the history of wallpaper. Through the rich array of illustrations, both historical and modern, experts in several subjects share their in-depth knowledge of wallpaper, both as a craft and as an expression of different decorative ideals.

130 illustrations. Edition: French binding with gold foil and printed cover, wire-bound. 24 x 31 cm. 200 pages.

Authors: Erika Åberg, Lars Sjöberg, Stina Olinder Haubo, Ursula Sjöberg, Mats Qwarfordt, Martin Olin, Sara Lundström.

Editors-in-chief: Svante Holmbaek Tirén, Kurt Almqvist.

Design: Patric Leo.

Building Care for Apartments takes its starting point in the emergence of the modern city at the end of the 19th century and allows us to follow the development of the Swedish apartment decade by decade, until the end of the 1980s. By highlighting how political forces have interacted with aesthetic ideals and construction technology, the book provides a unique insight into why our homes look the way they do. From the design of residential areas and the appearance of facades, to the division of rooms, the colors of walls and the specific profiles of skirting boards. In an accessible way, you will learn about the rich history hidden behind the perhaps worn floors or flaking wallpaper.

The second part of the book consists of an extensive chapter devoted entirely to the practical aspects of renovation and apartment care. It presents concrete strategies for approaching and dealing with issues related to care and renovation, as well as practical tips on how best to proceed when faced with the need to restore or replace something.

Building Conservation for Apartments is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in preserving their apartment and its history.