Merkurhuset in Gothenburg wins this year's Kasper Sahlin prize

Ernst Krüger's old shipping palace Merkurhuset has been given a sister building with the same name.

- It is brutal but humane and kind at the same time, says Per Bornstein, one of the architects who have created the new Merkurhuset, which is signed by the architect office Bornstein Lyckefors, now Olsson Lyckefors.

The Kasper Salin prize has been awarded by Sweden's Architects since 1962 and in this year's justification, the jury describes the winning building as a "remarkable figure that rests beautifully in the history of architecture but is at the same time its own".

- It's poetry when someone says that about something you've done.

It is nice that the jury has seen those qualities in the project, says Per Bornstein.

Many prefer classical architecture

During the last election campaign, architecture became a hot political issue and several parties, including the Moderates, the Sweden Democrats and the Social Democrats, advocated classical-style architecture.

A survey also shows that a large proportion of Swedes, 44 percent, think that new houses should largely be built in a classical style.

Merkurhuset is built in glass and concrete in a modernist style, thus the opposite of the classic style that many prefer.

- I think it's funny that there is such an interest in classical architecture.

I think construction has become too sterile, Per Bornstein.

Although Merkurhuset is far from a classic style, it is a style that appeals to Per Bornstein.

- Merkurhuset is certainly not a classic building, but it plays a little with classicism.

It plays with symmetries, it plays with shapes and with vertical elements.