Erika Höghede, course administrator at the Department of Economics:
“Södra huset is anything but “jante” and just right in its cocky expression. Knowledge of the past, present and future, is as if it was distilled there, in that swanky color. I think I am extremely privileged to work in the blue-green lagoon that offers so many a future.”
Gunnel Engwall, professor at the Department of Romance Studies and Classics, Vice President at Stockholm University in 1994–2003 and Acting President 2003–2004:
“I have enjoyed myself very much in Södra huset. It has been especially fun with the wide corridors on the third floor, where many students have sat and worked. I have also really appreciated the art, not least Baertling’s non-figurative paintings. Imagine that we in the Student Union Board got to take part in a ceremony with a first sod in 1965. We then thought it was both strange and exciting to go out to Frescati from Holländargatan and had a hard time seeing in front of us the large campus with bubbling activities that was planned and as it then became.
Jonas Nordell, professor of Civil Law, at the Department of Law:
“A ‘smultronställe’ may not be what you primarily associate with Södra huset, but of course there are places and environments in this mammoth building that are well worth remembering, paying attention to and fixing your eyes on.
During my studies in the 1980s, Café 6-an, which was at the far end of the F-house, was a refuge – a sanctuary – a tusculum – for anyone who wanted to relax for a while. It was dark, gloomy and well smoked and with the original sofas from the 1960s. Not only the students met there, but also professors and the ceiling height for academic freedom was high. But that was then.
Today I would like to draw attention to a place in Södra huset that many people might miss in the daily university life. Countless are the discussions I have had over time with colleagues and others about the architectural shortcomings and merits in Södra huset. Of course, the house is characterized by many, long, dark and anonymous corridors, but it has its merits here and there if you just want to see them. One dogma that should not be underestimated is that when something gets old enough, it is perceived as beautiful. In recent years, perceptions have already begun to fluctuate. David Helldén is today perceived as one of the foremost representatives of a brutalist or constructivist architecture, where one can, for example, see the load-bearing elements in the building. Therefore, I want to pause at something that is the heart and pulse of Södra huset, namely the corridor on the 3rd floor between the C and D houses. There they have broken up the roof and let the light flow in from the south on two levels. At the same time, the walls have been provided with a series of magnificent oil paintings by Olle Bærtling (1911–1981). In his painting, he sought himself further and further away from the figurative. In the paintings he wanted to free himself from the material, which is expressed not only in the choice of color, but also in their angles that seek outside the framework of the works. In his so-called Prologue to a manifesto to open form, he wrote: ‘Everything is movement, everything moves. There is no stable point in the universe.’ With that in mind, it is well worthwhile as a teacher to stop for a moment in the corridor between the floors when there is a break between the lectures in auditorium C 6 and watch the students who gather there. It is for them that we teachers are in Södra huset.”
Lamin Njie, service technician at the Property Management Office:
“To be able to work in the halls around Södra huset and meet people is something I always look forward to. The best thing about my job is when I can help students and teachers, as I get opportunities to meet and interact with many different kinds of people. In a nutshell, the whole Södra huset is my favourite place.
Vendela Blomström, lecturer and head of Swedish as a foreign language at the Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism:
“I would say that one of my favourite places in Södra huset is Café Prego by the library. The tastiest latte in town is made there and you even get it extra hot when you ask for it – something that gilds even the grayest February day. Then I am also particularly fond of Språkstudion’s room ‘Språkparken’, partly because it is an inspiring and welcoming environment there (the room’s interior but also the language studio’s staff are part of the environment), partly because it is an important place for many of our international students and staff who, among other things, can participate in language cafés there.”
Christophe Premat, associate professor in French at the Department of Romance Studies and Classics:
“I can understand that you want to look at the landscape outside Södra huset when you cross the corridor from C5 to B5. Why not take five minutes to discover the library at the Nordic Latin American Institute? There is nothing more stimulating than walking through the library shelves. Somewhere between the rows of books about Cuba and Mexico are old archives and even maps of Latin America in the 19th century. Have you heard of, for example, Juan Bosch, the former President of the Dominican Republic who was also a writer? You will find all his works there! But also other curiosities and fascinating book collections! This is my favourite place and today I feel a frantic need to page through real books and incredible archives, especially when digitalization has become a mantra.”
Read more about the Nordic Latin American Institute’s library: https://www.lai.su.se/about-us/library
Pär Brännström, investigator, Office of the President:
“When I worked on the 3rd floor, my favourite place was simply to go out into the long corridor through the entire Södra huset. To soak up all the ‘life’ out there felt invigorating as a contrast to the office a few meters away!”
Agneta Sundman Claesson, head of administration at the Department of Political Science:
“One of my favourite places is outside the F-house, the exit from floor 5. During spring and summer you meet greenery and views of two beautiful older buildings: Gula Villan and Skogstorpet. Directly outside the F-house there are benches and tables for those who want to take advantage of the sun when it turns out. When the temperature is above 20+, you can see students and staff who bring blankets to have a picnic in the grass. The heart rate is much lower here than compared to the A-house where there is a lot of running in and out. Could it be that we are close to a small strip of forest along the house?
More reading: ”Södra huset: The 50-year-old ageing gracefully”