The intersection of Östermalmsgatan, Uggleviksgatan, and Rådmansgatan is a site rich in history. In the late 19th century, it was home to a women’s prison — a red, medieval-inspired building featuring 115 cells and pie-shaped exercise yards. After three decades, the National Archives took over the premises, using them to store historical records.

By the 20th century, the demand for architects had increased significantly. In the late 1960s, a decision was made to construct a new building for Stockholm’s School of Architecture, which had previously been part of the Royal Institute of Technology’s (KTH) campus. Gunnar Henriksson, head of KTH’s architectural office, was commissioned for the project. The red castle was demolished to make way for something entirely new.

To ensure the new building did not appear more prestigious than other institutions, the project was bound by strict financial constraints. Henriksson also aimed to empower students to shape their own environment, leading to a design that prioritized simplicity. The result was the A-house – a 12,500-square-meter structure influenced by the ideals of New Brutalism, emphasizing materiality, function, and technology over color, form, and ornamentation. The building’s design was dictated by its intended uses, accommodating drafting rooms, lecture halls, studios, laboratories, and workshops. It remained the home of the School of Architecture until 2015.

At first glance, the building’s unique architecture may seem harsh in relation to its surroundings. However, its design was carefully crafted with respect for the environment: the building’s volumes mirror those of neighboring structures, and its concrete façade was chosen to avoid competing visually with Engelbrektskyrkan.

The A-house, now called Ark, is regarded as one of Sweden’s few fully realized Brutalist buildings. The original vision of allowing the building’s users to shape its function is still very much alive, serving as a guiding principle for all A house destinations.