The year is 1961, and things are going well for Sweden. The political situation is stable, prosperity is rising, and in Stockholm a boy is born with big plans laid out for him. The little child is meant for industry, to take over after his grandfather. Everything is there for him. But the boy does not end up in the Småland village of Bruzaholm, 20 kilometres east of Eksjö. He will not devote his life to the Swedish industrial adventure. Instead, he will build houses. Create homes. Forever homes for the people he meets along the way in his work as an architect at his own architecture firm. It may not have been what his grandfather had imagined, but Pål Ross has never looked back to wonder how things could have turned out. Pål has found his perfect place in working life.
Architecture with care
"I was completely set on becoming an engineer. My great interest was machines. I loved spending time with my grandfather and seeing how processes led to finished products."
For Pål, engineering studies were a completely natural path into adult life: "I was completely absorbed by the thought of how I would keep developing as an engineer during my studies, because I was afraid I would become outdated and no longer able to deliver. Since I became an architect, I have noticed that it is exactly the opposite in this profession. I think that is why I enjoy it so much now."
You might think the road from industry to architecture is a long one, but Pål grew up with art close at hand. His mother, Lillebil, was an artist and opened her son's eyes to all the beauty that surrounds us. Through her view of the world, the engineer-to-be discovered art.
Pål Ross with his team at Ross arkitektur & design.
By combining the technical background from his engineering studies with architecture, Pål Ross has a unique insight into what he does: "I build the houses I want to build, for the people I want to build them for. And I honestly believe I only get better and better at my job. That I am in a constant state of development. I did not realise it when it happened, but it was a stroke of luck that the factory was sold and I got to choose a different path in life."
Health and harmony
Ross started his own architecture firm in 1996, a firm focused on a different way of building houses. At that time, catalogue houses were very popular in Sweden, and many people felt architects were not needed when ready-made drawings were available. It took time, but Ross and his team managed to show how important it is to hire architects, especially when it comes to creating whole, beautiful, and functional homes.
For Ross, there has always been a strong focus on the health of the people who will live in the houses he designs. That is why he has been a pioneer in building healthy homes, which has become a hallmark of his work. He has helped develop buildings with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel (Svanen), and for several years he has been a leader in building homes that are not only good-looking but also better for people's health. He has a clear goal that material choices and design should support a good and healthy life for the residents.
Villa Victor © Ross arkitektur & design
Another important part of Ross's architectural philosophy is how his buildings affect people's daily lives and movement patterns. "I see architecture as a tool for guiding people through their surroundings in a natural and harmonious way. By shaping spaces and movement in buildings in a specific way, I am convinced that we as architects can improve the quality of life for those who live there. My design principles are strongly inspired by anthroposophy, especially the insight into how people move through space."
A central part of Pål's projects is the kitchen, a space that has historically been the heart of the home. For Ross, it is important that the kitchen is inclusive, a place where everyone in the household can be together and feel welcome. This is a fundamental part of his design philosophy, which also reflects a wider trend toward more open and inclusive homes.
Lifelong sustainability
Pål Ross has focused not only on aesthetics and health, but also on innovation and sustainability. In his work he has used modern technology such as 3D modelling to design houses in a more precise and efficient way. With the help of Archicad and other tools, he can identify potential problems early in the process, which makes the buildings both more efficient and easier to build.
His company is also known for building zero-energy buildings, using prefabricated materials such as EPS forms to create well-insulated and durable buildings. His design priorities are not only aesthetic and health-oriented, but also environmentally conscious, with a focus on the building's lifespan and durability.
Villa Luciani © Ross arkitektur & design
When it comes to the architecture of the future, Ross believes customers will expect the same as they do today: beautiful, functional buildings that give them more out of life. "I also see a growing demand for homes designed to last through all stages of life, including old age. 'Forever homes', where the buildings are adapted for a whole life and where safety and accessibility become ever more important, so that you can live comfortably for a lifetime."
Innovative safety
In a time when climate change and uncertainty shape the world, Ross sees architecture as a place of safety and strength. "We are now working on our first project in Los Angeles, where we are developing solutions to protect homes from natural disasters. The houses are built in concrete, with built-in water reservoirs and external sprinkler systems to protect against fire and power outages. This approach to safety could be a model for the homes of the future, where function and protection are at the centre."
And this is exactly what lies at the core of Pål's work: creating safe and good spaces.
"I want my customers to feel that the house they move into is a home from the very first moment. A home that is good and safe to live in. It is when I succeed with that that I have succeeded in my job."
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