Bylgiahuset (Bylgia House), Malmo

The Bylgia House, formerly known as Skandiahuset (Skandia house), is an iconic office building located on Hans Michelsensgatan in the Nyhamnen district of Malmö. Designed by the Swedish architect Hans Westman in 1955, the building was completed in 1957 and initially served as the tallest structure in the city—a testament to Malmö’s post-war architectural ambitions. Although it is now classified as a low-rise building, its historical significance remains unchallenged.

The name Bylgiahuset derives from the Bylgia block in which it stands, a nod to one of the daughters of the sea god Ägir and the sea goddess Ran in Norse mythology. This maritime association aligns well with its location near Malmö's waterfront and the undulating character implied by the name Bylgia.

Bylgia House housed the insurance company’s operations until the late 1960s when it was acquired by Skandia. Skandia consolidated its Malmö activities in this building, giving it the name Skandiahuset. However, in December 2003, Skandia vacated the premises, which led to a complete renovation and the building's subsequent rebranding as Bylgia House.

Before Bylgia House was constructed, the site had a rather different purpose. During the early 20th century, it hosted a public hot bathhouse, a place where Malmö’s residents, many of whom did not have bathing facilities at home, could come to wash and relax.

Despite being overshadowed by modern high-rises today, Bylgia House holds a distinct place in Malmö's architectural heritage, symbolizing a period of rapid development and transformation for the city.