The students at Young Business Creatives, YBC, are on break. Everyone we speak to says the same thing: the timber school has good air quality, pleasant acoustics and lighting. And their impressions are well founded – research shows that students in timber environments experience lower stress levels, better concentration and improved academic results.
In autumn 2025, the upper secondary students moved into the 2,500 sq m extension, designed by architecture practice Liljewall on behalf of Atrium Ljungberg. The school thereby grew from 660 to just over 1,000 places.
The prefabricated timber façade reflects both the site's industrial heritage and points towards sustainable urban development of the future. It also demonstrates an exciting design solution, where the segmented assembly of prefabricated wall elements works elegantly with the varied setbacks and recesses. Joints are concealed in a natural way.
"The façade is a modern interpretation of an industrial building. The repetitive design helps connect the building to the site's industrial history," says Veronica Sundqvist, project architect at Liljewall.
Glass walls – a reassurance
Inside, the school architecture is modern and warm. The scent in the stairwell is palpable, and the partly exposed stair structure in cross-laminated timber (CLT) catches the eye. The four storeys are dominated by whitewashed walls in laminated timber cladding, while the ceilings and classrooms are lined with sound-absorbing wood wool board.
"In the classrooms we've also installed internal fully automatic blinds. We've concealed them behind a projecting timber panel," explains Veronica Sundqvist.
Glass walls separate teaching rooms and staff areas from communal spaces.
"It lets in more light, but also provides reassurance. Teachers always have a view of the common areas, which reduces the risk of vandalism and graffiti," says Veronica Sundqvist.
Height was the biggest challenge
Campus Sickla comprises several upper secondary schools. The new timber building adjoins an older industrial brick building home to another school. At the far end of the timber school, the old brick wall emerges – a reminder of the site's history.
"In this way, Sickla's industrial heritage is woven into the interior as well," says Veronica Sundqvist, and continues:
"We initially thought students would be able to move freely between the buildings, but for various reasons we now only have emergency exits between them."
When the old industrial building was converted into a school, a local plan already existed with a designated building right in front. This meant the new building had to be adapted to given heights and proportions.
"The biggest challenge in the project was the height. A timber frame requires larger floor slab dimensions than steel and concrete. We solved it by running electrical, ventilation and pipes through the corridor ceilings, which made it possible to maintain generous ceiling heights in the communal areas," she says.
With the expansion of Campus Sickla, the timber city has gained its first building. Here, the values on which all of Stockholm Wood City will rest are being tested: sustainability, innovation and closeness between people.
"Campus Sickla is a key hub in a unique urban district where sustainability, innovation and community meet. Beyond its architectural significance, the building also takes social responsibility. It is designed to have a positive impact on people's lives and on the place as a whole," says Veronica Sundqvist.
Text: Gustav Schön Photo: Atrium Ljungberg, James Stokes
