Västra Hamnen

Sara Halldén & Alexander Magnusson

An open terrace with plenty of space. Communal areas for pool, parsley and chives and friends to play with, right up close. And only 50 metres to the sea and a summer life that replaces the trip to southern Europe. This is the setting for the lives of researcher Sara Halldén, chef Alexander Magnusson and their children Mikkel and Harriet down by the water’s edge in the Västra Hamnen part of Malmö.

A two-storey ‘town house’ that had long been only a dream but finally became theirs when it was put up for sale for the third time. And the optimum solution for a family with different working hours and a fondness of the community life that comes with the urban and rural feel of an area, where people help each other. With doors that are left open – both for the wonderful sea air and the neighbours’ children.

The place is distinctive in both form and colours, and – with its clean-lined, minimalist architecture – it is ideal for close family living when work is done. A quiet time together. A conversation in the hammock. Or a nap on your own. It is also where the family enjoy breakfast in the shade and share long summer evenings outside. Or indoors in the kitchen where they gather when food is being prepared and the day’s events digested along with Alexander’s finest home baked bread. It is here one returns to after long runs along the shore to the Sound bridge and back. Followed by a quick dip and a sip of something in the soft cushions on the terrace.

‘Life is sweet’ is how they themselves put it.