Form/Design Center, Malmö
Historic half-timbered granary turned free design hub, blending contemporary exhibitions, curated shopping and a relaxed café around a cobbled Malmö courtyard.
A historic granary reimagined for modern design
Form/Design Center occupies a beautiful 16th‑century former granary in Hedmanska gården, just off the cobbled square of Lilla Torg in Malmö’s old town. Inside the half‑timbered walls and steep rooflines, exposed beams, brick floors and wooden pillars tell the story of Malmö’s mercantile past. Instead of sacks of grain, the old storage floors now hold exhibitions, books and objects that chart how design shapes everyday life. The contrast between the building’s age and the crisp, contemporary displays is part of the experience. Carefully lit galleries, white partitions and refined signage sit comfortably within creaking floors and uneven walls, creating a dialogue between past and present that feels very Scandinavian in spirit.The meeting place for architecture, design and crafts
Today the house functions as a multidisciplinary platform where architecture, product design, urban planning and craft meet under one roof. Rotating exhibitions explore topics such as sustainable materials, new Nordic furniture, future cities or experimental ceramics, often mixing prototypes, models, films and full‑scale installations. Alongside exhibitions, the center regularly hosts seminars, talks, workshops and guided activities that bring together professionals, students and curious visitors. Printed maps and thematic material often point you towards design landmarks around Malmö, extending the visit into the surrounding cityscape.Light-filled galleries and a curated design shop
The interior unfolds over several levels, with smaller, intimate rooms giving way to airy double‑height spaces where large pieces and architectural models can breathe. Sightlines between floors encourage you to wander slowly, discovering niche corners devoted to textiles, graphics or sustainable innovation. The design shop on one level feels like a carefully edited gallery in its own right. Shelves carry objects by Scandinavian and international designers: hand‑thrown cups, textiles, stationery, books on architecture and urbanism, and clever everyday tools. Many pieces come from small studios or local makers, making it a good place to find thoughtful gifts and design books.Café life in a cobbled courtyard
A relaxed café spills out towards the courtyard when the weather allows, turning the old farmyard into a quiet pocket just steps from busy Lilla Torg. Inside, the café continues the design narrative with simple furniture, soft lighting and magazine stacks that invite lingering over coffee and freshly baked pastries. On sunny days, the cobblestones warm underfoot and the timber façades frame views up to patchwork roof tiles and the sky. In cooler months, the building becomes a snug refuge where you can move between exhibitions and café, watching the courtyard empty and fill as the day unfolds.Free culture in the heart of Malmö
Form/Design Center is free to enter, encouraging spontaneous visits whether you have ten minutes or a couple of hours. Its location in the compact historic center makes it easy to combine with nearby squares, churches and waterfront walks. Some programs cater specifically to children and families, while others target design professionals, but the core exhibitions remain accessible even if you know little about design. Because the exhibitions change regularly, the experience is different from one visit to the next. What remains constant is the interplay between heritage architecture, thoughtful contemporary content and a gentle, unhurried atmosphere that reflects Malmö’s creative side.Local tips
- Plan at least an hour so you can see the exhibitions, browse the design shop and still have time for a coffee break in the courtyard café.
- Exhibitions rotate, so check what’s currently on before you go if you are interested in specific themes like architecture, crafts or sustainability.
- Bring a small bag or extra space in your luggage if you enjoy design shopping; the store stocks many compact, giftable items and books.
- Combine your visit with a stroll around Lilla Torg and nearby historic streets to better appreciate how the center connects design with the city.
A brief summary to Form/Design Center
- Lilla torg 9, Malmö, 211 34, SE
- +46406645150
- Visit website
- Tuesday 11 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 11 am-5 pm
- Thursday 11 am-5 pm
- Friday 11 am-5 pm
- Saturday 11 am-5 pm
- Sunday 12 pm-4 pm
Getting There
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On foot from Malmö Central Station
From Malmö Central Station, allow around 10–15 minutes on foot to reach Form/Design Center. The route passes through the flat, paved streets of the old town and is suitable for most visitors, including those with strollers or wheelchairs. As this is a central urban walk, there is no cost, but in winter you should allow a little extra time for potentially slippery pavements.
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City bus within Malmö
Several city bus lines run to stops within a 3–6 minute level walk of Lilla Torg in central Malmö. Typical travel times from residential districts or outer neighborhoods are 10–20 minutes, depending on distance and traffic. A single adult ticket on Malmö’s urban buses usually costs around 25–40 SEK when bought via app or ticket machines. Buses run frequently during the day, with reduced frequency in late evenings and on weekends.
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Bicycle within central Malmö
Malmö is very bike-friendly, and reaching Form/Design Center by bicycle from most central districts typically takes 5–15 minutes on dedicated cycle paths. You can use your own bike or a local bike-share service, which often charges either a small unlock fee plus a per‑minute rate or a fixed short‑term pass; expect to spend roughly 20–60 SEK for casual use in a day. Streets around Lilla Torg are cobbled and can be busy with pedestrians, so ride slowly and park in designated stands nearby.
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Car or taxi within Malmö region
Driving from elsewhere in the Malmö region usually takes 10–25 minutes outside peak rush hours. There is no dedicated parking directly in the courtyard, so you will need to use nearby public garages or street parking in the central zone, where fees commonly range from about 20–40 SEK per hour during the day. Taxis are widely available; a typical central ride may cost roughly 120–250 SEK depending on distance and traffic. Narrow streets and one‑way systems in the old town mean it is often easier to park once and continue the last few minutes on foot.
