Elisefarm’s Residential Project

Quality of life, Innovation and Sustainability

Elisefarm’s residential project provides a serene, countryside lifestyle in a scenic setting adjacent to the existing golf course. Residents will enjoy convenient access to a full range of amenities and activities—both currently available and planned—at Elisefarm, including a restaurant, hotel, spa, gym, golf, padel, conference facilities, and a retail shop.

We aim to create socially sustainable communities through mindful new construction. Our vision is to design neighborhoods that accommodate a wide range of residents—from young families and older couples to those with multiple children—ensuring a diverse, vibrant environment. The development includes an assortment of housing options in varying sizes, so everyone can find a home that suits their needs, whether they prefer an exclusive residence or simpler living. A healthy mix of ages and lifestyles promotes social interaction and fosters mutual understanding. We strive to appeal to those who value both quality of life and a strong sense of community. Plans include establishing a preschool, an elementary school up to sixth grade, and a senior care facility, creating a complete living experience for residents.

Our vision is to minimize environmental impact, balance development on arable land, and maximize positive sensory experiences. We aim to embody a spirit of innovation by implementing creative sustainability solutions that meet society’s demands. Our concept draws on “Cradle to Cradle” principles (see more below), as well as a “walkable city” ethos—ensuring public transportation is within easy walking distance to help reduce car use, encourage car sharing, and support other smart mobility ideas. Plans also include lush rooftop terraces, greenhouse cultivation, and rooftop solar installations.

Background

The Ingesson family acquired Elisefarm in 1998 to gain additional farmland. The existing farmhouses were renovated and rented out; however, after several tenants struggled to pay their rent, the family opted to build a golf course and repurpose the houses into a restaurant and hotel. Today, the entire property is zoned for golf, although expanding to 36 holes (two courses) is not currently under consideration.In 2007, we began working with Hörby Municipality to create a residential development plan, which was finalized in 2008. This plan was then appealed by neighbors concerned about increased traffic—since the proposed entrance would run in front of their properties—and the potential impact on wildlife. The appeal went as far as the highest court, which sent the plan back to the municipality, citing insufficient detail in certain areas. A new planning framework for the project, encompassing both Höör and Hörby Municipalities, was approved in spring 2021. Since then, detailed planning has been carried out in Höör Municipality. In this new plan, the entrance has been revised so that it only affects Elisefarm, significantly improving residents’ access to public transportation. The entrance to “Trädgårdsstaden” is now planned directly across from the commuter parking area and bus stop.

 

Integration with the Local Environment

The proposed housing area sits immediately adjacent to Elisefarm’s golf course, allowing all residences to enjoy a scenic interface with the course. Proximity and views of the fairways are key features of the project, yet the expansion does not affect the existing golf course. The layout of the new homes creates a defined courtyard while still allowing expansive outlooks from rooftops and outdoor terraces over the golf course and ponds. Inspired by the clear, structured ideals of English garden-city design, the neighborhood features distinct courtyard spaces. Generous windows and outdoor areas offer sweeping views. By slightly recessing the top-floor penthouses, we can create spacious rooftop terraces that capture panoramic vistas of the golf course and the fertile Skåne landscape from multiple angles.
The area will also incorporate pedestrian and cycling paths, largely repurposing existing maintenance roads that traverse the golf course. Ensuring a thoughtful transition between the residential district and the golf course is paramount to us. We want to cater to a diverse demographic for social sustainability, offering homes in various types and sizes. By introducing this level of variety, we hope to appeal to a broad audience. Our intent is to construct residences that endure over time and adapt to changing family needs, providing settings for communal activities and fostering a sense of security. We envision shared spaces that can be used by residents, while the existing restaurant, bar, and café can serve as convenient dining options. Future opportunities might include expanding into public amenities such as artisan shops or galleries. The entrance to the community will be situated near the Fogdarp bus stop, serviced by Skåneexpressen routes to Lund, Malmö, Hörby, and Kristianstad. With buses running every ten minutes during peak hours, this location offers an excellent alternative to driving.

 

Stormwater Management

Several ponds already grace the golf course, and additional water features will be introduced so that every residence can enjoy a view of the water. The design aims to create a harmonious relationship with these bodies of water, encouraging social interaction while also providing a tranquil space for reflection. By focusing on everyday enjoyment and a sense of well-being, we hope to enhance the overall quality of life. Currently, the ponds serve as a natural filtration system by supplying irrigation to the golf course. They will also be ideally suited for stormwater collection, adding another practical function and further enriching the character of the site.

 

Background: A Detailed Overview of Our Ambitions in Sustainable Construction and Development

We aim to offer Höör and Hörby Municipalities a welcoming, community-oriented residential and commercial district—a place where neighbors greet one another, spend time together, and offer mutual support. This development encourages shared activities and upholds core values that respect both community spirit and individual privacy. Our goal is to create an environment where it’s effortless to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle and fully take advantage of everything the area has to offer.

 

The Garden City

This development is founded on principles from the English Garden City model. Houses are placed close to the streets, creating well-defined streetscapes. A clearly marked entrance facing the street promotes vitality and a sense of security. While the golf course lies outside the planned area, it provides a picturesque, greenery-filled backdrop within easy reach of the neighborhood, seamlessly integrated into the overall design. A strong focal point is essential: the homes are grouped around courtyards, following the well-known Garden City tradition exemplified by Hampstead in North London.

 

Keywords for Social Sustainability

We aspire to create socially sustainable communities through thoughtful new construction, fostering a genuine sense of togetherness in welcoming neighborhoods that people are proud to come home to. When residents feel at ease and connected, they are more inclined to stay, invest in their surroundings, and help maintain a high-quality environment. Our vision centers on including people who enjoy getting involved and view themselves as part of the neighborhood’s evolution. Beyond well-designed homes, we want to ensure that social interaction is easy and appealing. By establishing shared spaces and common areas, and by devising systems for loaning tools, equipment, and other items, we lay the groundwork for a safe and supportive living environment—one where people look out for each other and take pride in both their homes and their neighbors. This collaborative approach is also environmentally beneficial: instead of every household owning every item, residents can share resources, boosting ecological sustainability. We draw inspiration from the beautiful countryside setting around us, and our goal is to encourage cycling and the use of public transportation for personal travel. We believe in preserving the environment and embracing a sharing economy, recognizing that shared ownership is both economical and enjoyable. Plans include a shared e-bike program or e-bike pool, with many conveniences available to everyone—ranging from barbecue areas to tools and machinery. Comfortable bike parking, complete with a bicycle workshop and compressed air station, will be provided. The neighborhood is also designed with several communal spaces for socializing and small garden plots for those eager to grow their own plants. We take a long-term view of our buildings, choosing designs and materials that will stand the test of time. Our vision is that future residents will start their mornings by picking up the paper, strolling past planter boxes buzzing with bees and bumblebees, and heading to a patio or ascending to a rooftop terrace. There, they can savor their morning coffee with a view of the lush golf course and the surrounding rural idyll. The landscape opens up, and a fresh breeze drifts over the herb planters of basil and thyme. Just a short walk away is the neighborhood’s centerpiece: an orangery where tomatoes thrive alongside grapes and citrus trees. Heated by residual energy from the homes and watered with collected runoff, this greenhouse supports locally grown produce. Above it lies a verdant rooftop habitat, fitted with nesting boxes for beetles and bumblebees. Each home will also include bicycle storage with rooftop solar panels that can charge e-bikes and help heat the residence, making it easier for occupants to choose alternatives to car travel. This approach creates a long-term sustainable environment that delights the senses, enhances biodiversity, minimizes environmental impact, strengthens community bonds, and provides truly distinctive living spaces. Each family is free to express its creativity when designing individual gardens, cultivating flora and fauna that thrive in this setting. Lush green corridors connect to the nearby golf course, with minimal hardscaped surfaces allowing rainwater to be naturally filtered by vegetation before flowing through underground conduits into strategically placed stormwater ponds. The homes are designed to minimize environmental impact by keeping primary energy use as low as possible, which in turn reduces heat loss, cooling requirements, and overall electricity consumption. Our construction methods emphasize a strong environmental profile, and plans are in place for rooftop solar installations. We are committed to minimizing climate impact and will actively use certified materials and surface treatments that cause no harm to the environment. Only renewable resources from systems that can be restored will be employed. Through innovative architectural and engineering solutions, we aim to deliver a high standard of design that maximizes social engagement and contributes to a varied, sustainable neighborhood. In every respect, the project must align with ecological and environmentally responsible building practices, while also enhancing the character of its surroundings. We will adhere to environmental certification systems and further reinforce the project’s “ecological sustainability” by using top-quality materials and detailed craftsmanship. In short, our goal is to create a construction that is thorough, long-lasting, and forward-thinking in every way.

 

Background: Building Design, Aesthetic Vision, and Integration with Adjacent Districts

Our approach to the existing buildings at Elisefarm is to highlight the older structures in a way that respects their original era, architecture, and urban-planning ideals. In contrast, our own project will convey a sense of progress, dynamism, and boldness—fostering a unique identity. We have chosen contemporary designs for our buildings but draw on the materials and colors of Elisefarm’s historic architecture for inspiration. We want people to feel happy and at ease in and around our buildings—in both a literal and human sense—and we strive to offer an experience that goes beyond mere functionality. In this way, the existing structures and our new project complement each other, creating a varied scale in the surrounding area and emphasizing the passage of time. The architecture of our development is light, open, cheerful, and inviting—an expression of vitality and a celebration of living. Large window surfaces allow abundant natural light, and open floor plans feature broad, continuous spaces with beautiful daylight. Outward-facing, visually engaging façades create a refreshing contrast with their distinctive forms and materials, standing in balance with the historic buildings already in place.

 

Facade Design / Materials

The buildings will feature white-plastered walls that harmonize with the existing architecture at Elisefarm, yet they will blend modern rationality with traditional elements. To avoid creating a monolithic “block,” each segment of the structure is sculpted with a sharply defined profile and deeply recessed entrances. This plasticity yields a strong rhythm in the façade, playing with depth, light, and clearly articulated volumes. We will introduce varied façade treatments to establish verticality—an economical approach that nonetheless produces visually compelling architecture. Careful attention to proportions and added volumes ensures the buildings do not appear massive. Generous glazing and large windows add character, and the resulting natural light and open layouts make even smaller apartments feel airy. By contrasting the solid portions of each building with these transparent, glazed areas, we achieve a relaxed, rhythmic aesthetic.

 

Indoor–Outdoor Connection

Natural light graces all the residences, thanks to expansive glass sections that maximize both illumination and views. The living room and dining room/kitchen feature large glazed areas that lend the building a distinctive, welcoming “face” and create a beautiful interplay of light in the adjoining living and dining spaces. This striking, characterful architecture engages harmoniously with the surrounding environment. We will devote considerable effort to designing the courtyard, which will boast a generous green-space factor, including several lush, usable rooftop terraces that not only offer scenic views but also contribute significantly to sustainability. The shared rooftop terrace connects to an orangery, providing opportunities for play areas, barbecue spots, and social gatherings. By adding green spaces on both ground level and rooftops, we make optimal use of developable land while allowing more people to live in attractive settings—a doubly sustainable approach. Entrances will face the streets to foster activity, vitality, and above all, safety in the public realm. This design element helps create a secure, dynamic neighborhood for all generations. We will also minimize paved surfaces and incorporate local stormwater detention in the courtyard. Gardening opportunities may be introduced in the courtyard and potentially on the rooftop, for instance through greenhouse installations akin to those found in Brooklyn, New York.

 

Cradle to Cradle

Our clear and well-thought-out “Cradle to Cradle” vision is:

• We will use materials in a way that is “utilized” cyclically rather than “consumed” and turned into waste.
• We will avoid any materials or surface treatments that pose risks to human or ecological health.
• We will not use materials that are scarce on the planet or that indirectly deplete natural resources.
• We will use metals, oil-based plastics, and chemicals that can be recycled or reused at the same or higher quality in closed systems, provided they are kept separate.
• We will use materials that can naturally decompose and be reintegrated into the ecological system.
• We will use certified materials.
• We will not use building components made from multiple materials that are difficult to disassemble and therefore challenging to recycle or reuse. Furthermore, combining many materials and parts typically leads to higher energy consumption during manufacturing.
• We will reduce product and packaging volume to enhance transport efficiency.
• We will coordinate all transport and distribution options and utilize the least impactful transport systems possible.
• We will use locally sourced materials and manufacturing.

We have a visionary goal to minimize climate impact, balance construction on arable land, and maximize positive sensory experiences. Our approach embraces an experimental mindset supported by innovative sustainability solutions that align with society’s demands. Our concept is based on the “Cradle to Cradle” philosophy and the idea of a walkable city—offering convenient access to robust public transport networks that reduce the need for cars. We also plan to introduce car-sharing programs and other smart transportation solutions, along with charging stations for both cars and bicycles. Additional features include green rooftop terraces, greenhouse cultivation, and solar installations.
We aim to create an engaging, greenery-filled courtyard, which will include accessible parking for residents, guest parking, and ample bicycle parking. Our goal is to establish a healthy—yet not excessive—level of development density, allowing more people to enjoy a scenic setting with immediate access to essential public services, retail, and excellent transportation. Encouraging walking or cycling for work and leisure activities is highly efficient in terms of energy and transportation, and it supports a balanced mix of housing types—condominiums, rentals, single-family homes—and functional diversity. This approach helps break down physical, mental, and social barriers, benefiting the broader community-building process, fostering diversity, and enriching local life. It also provides a stronger foundation for services, schools, and more—promoting a long-term, socially sustainable development.
Construction will be split into distinct areas—A, B, C, and so on—each completed before the next begins, minimizing disruptions for those already living there. These sections will be sold in stages to different developers, each responsible for their designated zone. We have already engaged with several developers who have shown clear interest. Regarding the senior care facility, we have been in contact with two companies that are highly interested in managing its operations.

Elisefarm, December 15, 2024
Lars Ingesson & Ingrid Linné