Stockholm, Sweden - A Nordic consortium comprising architectural firms Henning Larsen and White Arkitekter has unveiled their vision for what is set to become the world's largest mass timber development. Spearheaded by these Scandinavian firms, Stockholm Wood City aims to showcase the environmental and biophilic properties of mass timber.
Situated in Stockholm's Sickla neighborhood, previously an industrial zone filled with factories and parking lots, the development is led by Atrium Ljungberg, one of Sweden's major listed property companies, known for prioritizing environmental and social responsibility.
Credits: Atrium Ljungberg/Henning Larsen
Encompassing an impressive area of 250,000 square meters, Stockholm Wood City will comprise 7,000 office spaces and 2,000 homes. The design concept by Henning Larsen and White Arkitekter seeks to infuse the district with nature-inspired elements, creating a serene atmosphere reminiscent of a forest.
To seamlessly integrate nature and architecture, the architects have incorporated various "natural elements" into the design. For instance, green roofs will enhance insulation, while large windows will allow abundant natural light to flood the spaces.
What sets this development apart is the choice of fire-proofed mass timber as the primary construction material. Mass timber, an engineered wood product, forms a protective char layer on the surface while maintaining its structural strength. This decision carries significant environmental benefits, as mass timber not only sequesters carbon but also emits fewer emissions compared to concrete.
Atrium Ljungberg emphasizes the advantages of wooden construction, stating, "Wooden construction means significantly reduced climate impact both during the construction phase and through the whole life cycle." Furthermore, research has shown additional benefits, such as improved well-being for individuals and a faster, quieter construction process.
The sustainability focus extends beyond the choice of materials. Stockholm Wood City is poised to have self-produced, stored, and shared energy, although specific details regarding the project's energy production are yet to be disclosed by the developer.
Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for 2025, with the first buildings expected to be completed by 2027. Atrium Ljungberg plans to adopt a phased approach, allowing valuable insights from each phase to be applied to subsequent stages. The developer believes that undertaking such a large-scale project will provide invaluable learnings and aligns with their core strategy of developing large interconnected areas.
Stockholm Wood City is set to redefine sustainable urban development, showcasing the possibilities and benefits of mass timber construction on a grand scale.