Kalvhagen : Learning to Live Together

On a small island outside Gothenburg, Kalvhagskolan once stood as a central gathering place, not just a school, but a space where everyday life intertwined, where generations crossed paths. Today, long abandoned and left to deteriorate, it still holds the memory of that role, and the potential to play it again. This project proposes a new future for Kalvhagskolan. One where the building is not demolished or forgotten, instead transformed into a place for community living, a home for people of all ages to live, create, and grow together. The island, while idyllic, faces a growing disconnect between generations. Over a third of its population is over 65, many living in homes too large or demanding to maintain. At the same time, young families are drawn to the island’s calm, car-free environment. However suitable, affordable spaces are becoming more sparse. This project offers an answer: intergenerational cohousing. A vision where families and older residents live together not as strangers, but as neighbors who support and enrich each other’s lives. Imagine elders finding renewed purpose in daily family life. Children growing up with role models just down the hall. A shared table, a shared garden, a shared rhythm. Sustainability is not just about energy or materials, it is about how we live together. By adapting and reimagining what already exists, Kalvhagskolan becomes a beacon of care, connection, and a more sustainable, shared future.