
Zoom into Stockholm Wooden Metropolis, the way forward for timber constructing
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Might a contemporary metropolis be in-built timber? At Stockholm Wooden Metropolis, a brand new city district in Sweden to be created completely in wooden structure, the reply is a powerful ‘sure’. Native developer Atrium Ljungberg aimed excessive when it kick-started this venture, which is at the moment in development and contains a hanging, approximate 250,000 sq m of workplace, residential and industrial area that encompasses some 25 blocks and 30 buildings. It’s designed to accommodate 7,000 workplace staff and a pair of,000 residents and occupies an space as giant because the historic metropolis centre of Stockholm. Via this scheme, its authors not solely hope to create a whole new chunk of sustainable city area (the primary residential buildings are set to be accomplished by 2026) but additionally to offer a platform for innovation within the exploration of know-how, supplies and power methods.
We spoke to Marianne Perslow, the venture’s head of communication, to search out out extra about ‘the world’s largest city wood development venture’.
Stockholm Wooden Metropolis: what, the place, why and the way
(Picture credit score: Atrium Ljungberg)
Wallpaper*: The place is Stockholm Wooden Metropolis, and what’s it?
Marianne Perslow: Stockholm Wooden Metropolis is at the moment being constructed within the district of Sickla, Stockholm, Sweden. Development began in 2024 and the primary buildings are at the moment being accomplished.
It’s the world’s largest city improvement venture in-built wooden and can turn into a mixed-use group that integrates workplace areas, residential housing, and retail areas, all whereas prioritising sustainability and biophilic design ideas.
(Picture credit score: Atrium Ljungberg)
W*: Why Stockholm, and importantly, why wooden?
MP: Utilizing wooden in development can scale back carbon emissions by as much as 60 per cent in comparison with conventional strategies, as wooden is lighter and faster to work with than concrete. Analysis from Aalto College and the Finnish Setting Institute in 2020 additionally highlights that wooden shops carbon slightly than emitting it, since timber soak up CO2 as they develop. Moreover, if a wood constructing is now not wanted, it may be extra simply disassembled than concrete, and the wooden might be reused or recycled, additional extending its lifecycle.
Along with the timber development in Stockholm Wooden Metropolis, there are a number of different sustainability initiatives in Sickla. For instance, local weather impression can be minimised with the assistance of self-produced, saved, and shared power. Warmth and chilly are deliberate to be saved in a big geothermal retailer within the mountain related to thermal networks that interconnect the buildings. Sickla’s intensive photo voltaic panel set up is constantly being expanded for power storage. Within the district, there are at the moment world-leading corporations which might be all on the forefront of innovation and sustainability, similar to Atlas Copco, Epiroc, Stora Enso, Envac, Cubegreens, amongst others.
A number of analysis research present that wood buildings present higher air high quality, scale back stress, enhance productiveness, and retailer carbon dioxide all through their use. This additionally has significance for the working setting. Constructing with wooden means quieter development websites and reduces the [amount] of heavy transport in the course of the development interval, which is vital for us constructing in a dense metropolis.
‘It’s the world’s largest city improvement venture in-built wooden’
Marianne Perslow, the venture’s head of communication
(Picture credit score: Atrium Ljungberg)
W*: What are the venture’s distinctive challenges?
MP: Since constructing with wooden on a big scale is comparatively new, we should continuously work carefully with all stakeholders similar to architects, technical consultants, materials suppliers, and contractors. You may say that every venture is a pilot venture. We check, consider, and modify progressively between the blocks.
W*: What excites you in regards to the scheme?
MP: We’re very proud that we had the braveness to undertake this venture on such a big scale, actually making an actual distinction. We now have formidable sustainability objectives, and to realize them, daring steps have to be taken; it isn’t sufficient to make marginal modifications. With this, we additionally hope to be a job mannequin and encourage others within the trade to comply with the identical path.
(Picture credit score: Atrium Ljungberg)
W*: What shocked you, as you developed this distinctive city venture to date?
MP: It is vitally gratifying to see the pleasure Stockholm Wooden Metropolis instils in each the craftsmen and different workers within the firm. We now have acquired huge consideration from all corners of the world and notice what number of companions wish to be part of this sustainable innovation journey.
Upon getting into the development web site, the environment feels noticeably completely different from a standard one. It is remarkably quiet and calm, highlighting how the wellbeing advantages of wood development tasks start even in the course of the constructing course of.
(Picture credit score: Atrium Ljungberg)
‘A number of analysis research present that wood buildings present higher air high quality, scale back stress, enhance productiveness, and retailer carbon dioxide all through their use’
Marianne Perslow
W*: Please give us a timeline for what’s developing for Stockholm Wooden Metropolis
MP: The primary residential block is at the moment below development, the primary residential items have simply gone on sale, with occupancy anticipated in early 2026. The primary workplace constructing is predicted to begin development in 2027.
In parallel with the residential constructing, on Nobelberget, we’re increasing Campus Sickla, which can be a constructing with a wood body and wood façade. We’re proud to have began each of those tasks just a little forward of schedule. This demonstrates our execution functionality.
W*: Who’re the architects concerned? Why did you select them?
MP: Initially, White Arkitekter and Henning Larsen had been commissioned to visualise Stockholm Wooden Metropolis. White Arkitekter was then employed for the primary wood block in Nobelberget, and Liljewall Architects for Campus Sickla. The thought is to work with completely different architects to create selection within the space.
(Picture credit score: Atrium Ljungberg)