We care for the past – and build for the future
The White House renovation
The White House is one of Lund's most well-known cultural historical buildings and has been the main building for Kulturen in Lund for almost 100 years. Over the next three years, the house will undergo a careful but extensive renovation.
An obvious meeting place
We want to give you the best experience when you visit us, take care of our cultural heritage in the best way, and be a welcoming and obvious meeting place in Lund even in the future! Therefore, the White House will undergo a careful but extensive renovation over the next three years.
Entrances, flow, and orientation will be made clearer, while the building is adapted to today's requirements for accessibility, sustainability, and modern exhibition environments. We also want to preserve and develop the architectural qualities of the White House with respect for the building's history, from the greenery of the front garden to the bright exhibition halls at the top of the house.
Why does the White House need a renovation?
The White House has enormous potential, both in its architecture and in the large spaces within the building. At the same time, there is a need to improve climate and security.
The project is therefore about both taking care of the building and cultural heritage, and creating better conditions for future visitors, exhibitions, and public activities.
From private residence to museum's main building
The White House was built in 1854 as a residence for two families. The Sjögren and Bonde families lived in separate parts of the two-family house, later Sjögren took over the whole house.
It was bought in 1927 by Kulturen and began to be used for exhibitions from 1929. At the same time, the building became the museum's new main entrance.
The front garden belongs to the 1850s original plan. At that time its function was mainly decorative, in contrast to the back's utility plantings.
This is what we want to develop
First floor: The exterior from the 1929 renovation, when the White House became the main building of Kulturen, will be highlighted again. The centrally located entrance door will be reopened to make the White House's entrance clear to visitors already from a distance from Lundagård and Tegnérsplatsen. The entrance hall's function will be restored, entrance counter and shop counter will be separated for better flow. The current entrance existing from 1996–2026 will be remodeled and will function as a separate exit, also for better flow.
Second floor: The stairway between the second and third floors, which was opened in 1929 and sealed in 1994–96, will be reopened. Areas next to the Auditorium are adapted to be more accessible and better used for ongoing activities, conferences, and inaugurations.
Third floor: The entire floor will be adapted for exhibition activities. With a centrally located stairwell, the flexibility of the floor plan becomes greater. We can more easily choose whether we want a large or several smaller exhibitions. Exhibition spaces with high security and a good climate will be created here. The interior ceiling will be insulated and an artificial overhead light from previous skylights restored.
The Whole house: Better climate for visitors and objects, better security, and antiquarian awareness in the design. Good conditions for high-quality hospitality and function in the development of Lund's city center as a strong destination.
Parallel with the renovation, we are developing a new setup for the exhibitions that will be housed in the White House.
Timetable
The renovation will be carried out during the period 2026–29. The timetable will be updated continuously.
Campaign: Restoration of the White House's wrought-iron railings
First in the project is the restoration of the White House's characteristic wrought-iron railings, at the tops of the side salients. By contributing to the project, you are involved in the very first step of the renovation and preserve an important cultural heritage. At the same time, we create together the conditions for future visitors to experience and explore our history – and be inspired to create new stories for the future. Help us restore the silhouette of the White House – one meter at a time, centimeter by centimeter.
Questions about the project?
Do you have questions about the renovation of the White House?
Contact Alma Bergil, responsible for external relations, at alma.bergil@kulturen.com or call 0765-39 04 20.
