Offices at the University administration to be adapted for flexible seating
In early November, the refurbishment will begin on the University administration’s offices at Brinellvägen 8. The aim is to create more functional areas that support flexible seating and more efficient use of space. Although the total office area will be reduced, the new layout is designed to offer a variety of working environments — for individual tasks, collaboration, and flexibility.
“When everything is finished, the building will be furnished with personal lockers and furniture that supports flexible seating, both in so-called home zones and shared zones. There will also be more meeting rooms, and the existing audiovisual equipment will be supplemented with Zoom functionality in almost every room,” Laila Thulin says.
Thulin, from KTH’s property department, is the project manager for the space optimisation initiative.
The renovation will take place in several stages and is expected to be fully completed by June 2026. In the meantime, the departments affected will need to adapt to temporary conditions.
“This will mean that some departments will have to share smaller spaces, while others may need to move temporarily to alternative offices, depending on what best suits their operations,” Anna-Lena Mårtensson says.
Mårtensson is a consultant responsible for change management in the project. She also says that some parts of the floors will be closed during construction and that meeting rooms which cannot be used will be blocked in Outlook to prevent incorrect bookings.
Reduced rental costs, sustainability, and reuse of existing furniture are priorities in the project.
“A major saving for KTH is that the lease for the administrative support offices at Drottning Kristinas väg 48 will be terminated,” Thulin says.
What is the advice for visitors?
“For those who usually visit the affected office areas, it may be advisable to instead invite colleagues to your own premises or hold digital meetings when possible. It’s best to check with the relevant department about what works best during the refurbishment period,” Thulin says.
Information and support during the refurbishment
Employees directly affected will receive regular updates from their managers. Appointed relocation coordinators will also provide practical instructions on packing, labelling, and placing moving boxes.
The offices at Brinellvägen 8 and in the KTH Library are expected to be ready by April 2026.
“Before moving in, we will establish shared guidelines and approaches for how we work and interact in the new office environment. There will also be an introduction period for the new flexible seating arrangements,” Mårtensson says.
Text: Marianne Norén