The Flat Iron

The Flat Iron is a triangular stone building situated in the middle of the Motala River on Laxholmen island. It features classical architectural elements with multiple windows and is designed so that water flows around its foundation from all directions.

The building was constructed in 1917 as a cotton weaving mill and operated in this capacity until 1962 under Holmens Bruks and Fabriks AB. After textile production ended, the structure was converted into a museum to preserve the industrial heritage of the region.

The building houses a museum dedicated to labor history and industrial work in Sweden since 1991. Visitors can explore exhibits that document how people worked and lived during different periods of industrial production.

The museum is accessible via bridges from both river banks, with the entrance at the narrow end of the triangular structure. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the bridges can become slippery in wet conditions.

The triangular shape of the building was deliberately chosen to maximize the use of available space on the island rather than being accidental. This unusual geometry made it possible to create a functional industrial building that sits naturally within the river landscape.