Swedish architecture studio White Arkitekter has successfully completed a comprehensive renovation of Feskekôrka, a historic 150-year-old seafood market in Gothenburg that has earned recognition as one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. The project, which celebrates the timber-framed structure of the building's church-like hall, has been shortlisted in the heritage project category of the prestigious Dezeen Awards 2025.

The 1,120-square-meter market hall, originally designed by Victor von Gegerfelt in 1874, is commonly known as Feskekôrka, which translates to "fish church" in reference to its grand neo-Gothic architectural style. Over its century-and-a-half history, various adaptations and modifications had significantly obscured many of the building's original heritage features, necessitating a thoughtful restoration approach.

Working in close collaboration with the building's owner and contractor Skeppsviken, White Arkitekter carefully repaired and upgraded the historic structure to accommodate modern commercial needs. The renovation has transformed the space to include three restaurants, a bar, an oyster bar, and a traditional fish counter, breathing new life into this cultural landmark while preserving its historical significance.

"Although preservation aspects have been central, the project's intention has not been to fully restore the building to its original appearance," explained representatives from White Arkitekter. "Instead, the goal has been to create a cohesive character that captures the building's unique atmosphere – embodying both robustness and complexity, a refined simplicity."

A primary objective of the restoration project involved reinstating Feskekôrka's original timber frame structure. During the 1960s, much of the original wooden framework, along with areas of brick and granite buttresses and foundations, had been replaced or encased with concrete. The architectural team methodically stripped back these alterations and collaborated with skilled carpenters to replace worn sections of wood, creating wooden peg and cast-iron bolt fixings that faithfully reference the building's original construction methods.

"Feskekôrka proved to be a building brimming with secrets," noted the studio. "Beneath its 1960s concrete layers lay a remarkably intricate structure, hidden from view for decades. Removing this concrete became essential to reveal the lower structure's original form." Detailed inspections revealed that the roof beams had initially rested on granite plinths, and through careful study, the intricate system of buttresses and timber framing could be faithfully and safely restored.

To modernize the building's infrastructure, the team excavated a new basement level that enabled the introduction of an efficient heat pump system and provided space for relocating technical equipment. Previously, this equipment had contributed to making the main hall dark and cramped, detracting from the building's architectural grandeur.

In place of the relocated technical equipment, White Arkitekter installed a series of curved kitchen stations clad in glossy beige tiles. These stations serve as a thoughtful homage to the tiled stalls once used by traditional market sellers and now house modern restaurant equipment, cold storage systems, and ventilation infrastructure.

The kitchen stations and customer seating areas were strategically pulled in from the building's perimeter and organized in quadrants, creating a distinctive cross-shaped central axis. This intelligent layout maximizes the amount of natural light entering through the hall's characteristic pointed-arch windows, enhancing the overall dining and shopping experience.

The interior design employs a sophisticated palette combining timber, stainless steel, and custom tilework with reclaimed materials that were salvaged during the restoration process. Notably, old sections of the original wooden frame have been creatively transformed into end-grain flooring, providing a tangible connection to the building's historical past.

Outside the main structure, White Arkitekter has reintroduced Feskekôrka's connection to the adjacent canal, which was historically used for unloading fresh fish deliveries. This connection is now celebrated through the creation of a wooden dining terrace that cleverly mimics the shape of a traditional barge, offering diners an authentic maritime atmosphere.

White Arkitekter, founded in 1951 in Gothenburg by Sidney White and currently led by Alexandra Hagen, has established a reputation for thoughtful architectural projects that balance historical preservation with contemporary functionality. Previous notable projects by the studio include a sculptural concrete water tower in Våga and a series of apartment buildings in east London that incorporate Scandinavian design principles.

The Feskekôrka restoration represents a successful model for heritage building adaptation, demonstrating how historic structures can be sensitively updated to meet modern commercial requirements while preserving their cultural and architectural significance. The project's recognition in the Dezeen Awards 2025 heritage category underscores the quality and thoughtfulness of White Arkitekter's approach to this challenging restoration.