In the heart of Stockholm, a structure breathes history. Folkets Hus, now reimagined and revitalized as the House of People, has served as a vital cultural and social anchor for the city for generations. Since its inception, its walls have hosted decades of spirited gatherings, political debates, and pivotal cultural moments that have shaped the community. However, before its recent extensive renovation, the building stood as a proud but aging monument, rich in historical character and architectural charm, but technically frozen in a bygone era, unable to meet the digital demands of the modern world.
The mission for the new House of People was ambitious and clear: to throw open the doors once again for the meetings, conventions, and events that matter most. The leadership team recognized that to re-establish the venue as a premier international destination for global conferences and large-scale enterprise events, they had to bridge the significant gap between the building’s historic roots and the technological expectations of 2025. This meant completely rethinking the facility’s AV capabilities to ensure world-class sound and visuals. The goal was not merely to renovate a physical space, but to foster a sophisticated environment where high-quality, innovative thinking drives meaningful human connection through seamless collaboration.
To achieve this vision, House of People partnered with GPA’s regional business unit in Sweden, FORTÉ. The scope of the project was immense: to integrate a cutting-edge technology ecosystem that would remain invisible to the naked eye yet omnipresent in function, seamlessly blending with the heritage-protected architecture while delivering the robust, high-speed performance demanded by modern global enterprises. This included the complete overhaul of specialized meeting rooms to support both in-person and remote participants flawlessly.
Before this digital transformation, the facility faced a critical identity crisis. While it boasted iconic Scandinavian architecture and a naturally inviting atmosphere, it lacked the essential audiovisual infrastructure required to support modern hybrid work models, real-time global streaming, and high-impact corporate events. The challenge was to modernize the technical foundation without losing the space’s soul.
The venue comprises diverse rooms, ranging from intimate meeting spaces to a massive congress hall capable of seating over 1,500 people, and the lack of a unified technology standard threatened to alienate the very clients they sought to attract.
Key pain points included:
Architectural Constraints: Renovating a protected historic structure meant navigating strict preservation guidelines. There was deep uncertainty about how to install heavy LED walls and complex cabling without disrupting the visual integrity of the original design.
The Threat of Complexity: In a high-traffic conference environment, complexity is the enemy. Stakeholders feared that deploying advanced systems across dozens of rooms would result in a disjointed user experience, leading to technical delays and frustrated guests.
Aesthetic Dissonance: There was a significant risk that modern tech, such as standard black screens and bulky speakers, would clash with the carefully curated interior design, particularly in social spaces like the restaurant.
Operational Reliability: With high-profile clients from finance and tech sectors, the tolerance for downtime is zero. The existing infrastructure lacked the resilience and support model needed to ensure flawless execution at every event.
The challenge lay in transcending these limitations by developing a solution that married striking visual design with robust operational reliability and empowerment.
The team committed to a “listen-first” approach, establishing a deep, three-year collaboration between GPA Sweden and the client. The debate over preservation versus innovation was resolved by choosing technology that served the architecture rather than dominating it. The solution focused on deploying best-in-class technology that could blend into the environment while delivering robust performance.
By leveraging global expertise and local insights, the team designed a comprehensive ecosystem that standardized the user journey. Whether a guest enters a small huddle room or the main congress hall, the interaction with technology remains intuitive and consistent. The solution moved beyond simple hardware installation to create a cohesive digital layer that enhances the physical space.
Key Deliverables:
Here is how we delivered a system that honors history while powering the future:
Unified Communications Standard: Deployment of Crestron-powered Microsoft Teams Rooms throughout the facility, enabling a “single button press” start for hybrid meetings.
Visual Impact: Integration of Unilumen LED solutions in foyer areas for high-impact messaging, complemented by Samsung professional displays for crisp digital signage and wayfinding.
Atmospheric Control: Installation of an advanced Interlite lighting system in the congress hall, providing flexible control to alter the mood for different event types dramatically.
Acoustic Integration: Selection of Genelec premium audio systems for the restaurant, color-matched and positioned to deliver superior sound quality without disrupting the visual flow.
Managed Services Model: Implementation of an on-site operator service to handle daily technical needs and ensure system reliability.
Project Execution:
Bringing this vision to life required navigating the pain points and complexities of integration. The sheer scale of the project, covering unique spaces within a protected heritage site, presented constant physical and logistical challenges. The team had to meticulously plan cable runs and mounting points to ensure that the building’s historic fabric remained untouched.
Simultaneously, the team faced the challenge of “aesthetic dissonance.” In the restaurant, standard audio equipment threatened to disrupt the interior design. To overcome this, the team worked closely with architects and designers to select and position Genelec speakers that dissolved into the background, ensuring that the technology was heard but not seen.
Throughout the installation, the focus remained rigorously on simplicity. The temptation to add unnecessary features was resisted in favor of a standardized, foolproof user interface. Long periods of testing and calibration ensured that the Crestron systems in every room behaved identically, eliminating the learning curve for repeat guests.
The turning point came as the new systems went online and the venue officially opened its doors to the public. The meeting rooms, once static historical spaces, were instantly transformed into vibrant, dynamic hubs of global collaboration. The initial challenges of complexity and the risk of technical failure were overcome entirely by the robust, standardized design that had been meticulously planned and executed.
Today, the Unilumen LEDs and Samsung screens are seamlessly integrated into the building’s architecture, guiding visitors effortlessly from the entrance through the historic corridors. The technology in the meeting rooms now works so flawlessly that it becomes virtually invisible to the user, allowing them to focus entirely on their objectives rather than the tools they use. The outcomes of this comprehensive transformation were not only transparent and measurable but also deeply impactful:
- Seamless User Adoption: The intuitive, one-touch Crestron interface has eliminated previous barriers to entry. Guests, regardless of their technical proficiency, can now walk into any room and start global meetings instantly without needing technical assistance, fostering a self-sufficient, empowering environment.
- Operational Excellence: The on-site managed services model has proven to be a cornerstone of the project’s success. This proactive approach has virtually eliminated downtime by identifying and resolving potential issues before they can impact events, ensuring that every conference and meeting runs smoothly while significantly reducing the support burden on internal staff.
- Architectural Harmony: The project achieved a delicate balance between old and new. The careful integration of high-performance Genelec audio systems and sophisticated Interlite lighting has preserved the building’s irreplaceable historic charm while adding layers of modern functionality and ambiance, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
- Future-Readiness: With its scalable and standardized ecosystem, the facility is now fully equipped to meet the evolving demands of 2025 and beyond. This forward-thinking approach has solidified its position as a leading, highly sought-after venue for discerning enterprise clients who require state-of-the-art capabilities.
The revitalization of Stockholm’s historic House of the People serves as a masterclass in harmoniously blending heritage with high-tech innovation. By overcoming significant architectural constraints and mitigating the threat of operational complexity, the project successfully replaced an aging, unreliable infrastructure with a standardized, user-centric, and future-ready ecosystem. Key integrations, including Crestron-powered Microsoft Teams Rooms for global connectivity, brilliant Unilumen LED displays for communication, and discreet yet powerful Genelec audio, were meticulously installed to remain “invisible yet omnipresent,” ensuring the building’s protected history remained the star of the show.
The renovation of the House of People stands as a testament to what is possible when legacy infrastructure is modernized through strategic, human-centered technology integration. The historic facade remains, but inside, the venue is alive with the hum of global connection. It is no longer just a building of the past; it is a sustainable, innovative hub for the future of work.
By combining global standards with local dedication, GPA Sweden has helped House of People achieve its mission of bringing people together. The project demonstrates that even the most historic environments can host the most advanced digital experiences without compromising their soul. For organizations looking to bridge the gap between heritage and innovation, the House of People serves as a blueprint for success. If you‘re facing similar pain points anywhere around the globe, in one or more locations, we’d love to talk with you and take the journey together towards a better experience in your venue for you and your guests.
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