Lund University’s historical collections relocate to Wihlborgs’ new development in Hasslanda

The Historical Museum and the Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art (Skissernas Museum), which for some time have sought a long-term solution for eleven million historical objects and the world’s largest collection of sketches for public art, will move their “Open Collections” to new premises in Hasslanda (Surkålen 1, former Stora Råby 32:39) at the end of next year. The new storage facility meets the museums’ high requirements for climate adaptation, security, working environment, and accessibility for visitors.

The premises cover 5,200 m² and form part of a building that Wihlborgs is developing for electronics company NOTE Lund. For the museums, the facility will not only provide extensive storage capacity but also areas for offices, teaching, and visitor access. The lease term is ten years.

Since 2023, the Historical Museum and Skissernas Museum have had to keep their collections closed while awaiting a facility that ensures the preservation of objects and sketches. Organic materials and metals are particularly sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity, and the new premises include a climate system that guarantees a stable and controlled environment. The facility also meets the stipulated security standards.

An important part of the museums’ mission is to be open and accessible to researchers, students, and the public, which will once again be possible following the relocation. The shared facility will also create opportunities for new collaborations and more efficient operations.

“The collections at Lund University’s Historical Museum, the Museum of Artistic Process and Public Art, and the university’s art collection are vital infrastructures for research and education, which can now become accessible in an innovative and inspiring way also to the general public. We are very pleased that Wihlborgs has designed a building that finally allows us to have adapted storage for the large number of unique objects in these two museum collections, thereby ensuring that they are preserved for future generations,” says Ann Kristin Wallengren, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Culture and Educational Development at Lund University.

“We are proud to contribute to two of Lund’s most important cultural institutions gaining modern and secure premises for their unique collections. This facility offers so much more than storage. Here, employees will have a workplace where they can focus on core activities, researchers and students a place to meet, and Hasslanda a new, exciting presence,” says Ulrika Hallengren, CEO of Wihlborgs.

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ)