Forskaren Wins 2025 ULI Europe Award for Excellence

Vectura Fastigheter’s flagship project Forskaren has been named a winner of the 2025 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Europe Award for Excellence, recognising the building’s outstanding contribution to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement in urban development.

Located in the heart of Stockholm’s Hagastaden district, Forskaren is a 24,000 m² circular life science building that brings together research, industry, academia and the public under one roof. Designed by 3XN Architects, it embodies openness and collaboration — every door is a front door — creating a “vertical village” for science.

“With Forskaren, our goal was to create more than a building — we wanted to create a living, breathing ecosystem for science, people and ideas. This recognition by ULI is a testament to what can be achieved when architecture, research and entrepreneurship come together with a shared vision of sustainability and collaboration” says Micael Averborg, VP Business Development.

The ground floor invites the public into a world of discovery, featuring two restaurants and an interactive life science exhibition by Tekniska Museet in partnership with Karolinska Institutet.
A central spiral staircase and glass atrium promote movement and visual connection across all levels, ensuring science is visible and accessible to everyone.

“Forskaren is at the same time simple yet complex. A circular shape that shifts upwards from floor to floor, causing the atrium to open up and become larger and larger inside the building, giving the building its characteristic façade” says Jan Ammundsen, Senior Partner and Head of Design at 3XN Architects.

“Forskaren exemplifies the ambition for Hagastaden — a place where science, business and everyday life meet,” says Torleif Falk, City Architect for the City of Stockholm. “The project shows how architecture can open the door between research and the city, inviting the public into a world of knowledge and innovation.”

With a design grounded in biophilic and behavioural principles, Forskaren uses natural materials, daylight and greenery to enhance wellbeing. The building aims for LEED Platinum, WELL v1 Gold and Miljöbyggnad Gold certifications, supported by solar panels covering half the roof and energy-efficient façade shading.

“We wanted to design a building that feels alive — where people can see science in action and feel part of it,” adds Marie Hesseldahl, Partner at 3XN Architects. “The circular form brings everyone together, from startups to global research organisations, in a space that inspires collaboration and exchange.”