Swedish Wood

ARTICLE Two new buildings add to the site of an old farm in Halland, Sweden. The new additions have a more modern look, but the material and design chime with the landscape’s traditional heritage.

ARTICLE Skellefteå city centre is now dominated by Sara Kulturhus, with its simple, restrained tower. Behind its wood façade, the building is flexibly designed to accommodate a wide range of activities, while also embracing sustainability in all its forms.

ARTICLE The historical parstuga inspired Martina Eriksson’s design for Villa Lake/Streich. Temperature zones and rooms that can expand outside save energy and add extra interest.

ARTICLE When Wilmotte & Associés Architectes were commissioned to design a temporary, modular exhibition hall and event arena as a short-term replacement for the illustrious Grand Palais, they chose wood. The selected elements were prefabricated for a post-free structure that can even be reused.

ARTICLE With 20 floors, Sara Kulturhus in Skellefteå is one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings, reaching 75 metres into the sky. Trä! got a first look at the project that is almost finished. The building, which has changed both the skyline and the view of what can be achieved in wood, is the result of real teamwork, with everyone sharing their experience and expertise. Most of the raw material and construction technology for Sara Kulturhus has also been sourced locally.

ARTICLE Kai Strehlke loves every minute of his current job. He is an architect and head of digital processes at Blumer Lehmann in Gossau, Switzerland, where he has been involved in projects including the Cambridge Central Mosque, designed by Marks Barfield Architects, and the Swatch headquarters by Shigeru Ban.