Mass timber construction

World of Volvo is a joint venture between Volvo Cars and the Volvo Group. This new 22,500-square-metre experience centre is located in central Gothenburg, the city where Volvo’s journey began in 1927. Designed by Henning Larsen, the project integrates computational parametric design with mass timber. The impressive main structure, made from glued laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT), forms three majestic tree trunk-like columns arranged in a mathematical pattern. Spreading outwards, these columns support the roof’s entire mass. Rasmus Hjortshøj Rasmus Hjortshøj   Allemansrätten: the right to roam World of Volvo is designed around the Swedish concept of “Allemansr&a... More

In the Central District of Seattle, USA, a 67,000-square-feet mass timber middle income housing project represents a significant development in tall timber construction. The eight-storey Heartwood building was designed by Seattle-based architectural studio atelierjones for Community Roots Housing, a non-profit organisation that builds, preserves, and manages affordable homes for over 2,000 residents across the Seattle area. Lara Swimmer Photography   Changing the building code in favour of tall timber buildings Heartwood is the first Type IV-C International Building Code workforce housing building to be constructed in the USA. The anticipated demand for taller mass timber buildings led to the addition of three new construction... More

Helsinki’s former industrial Katajanokka waterfront is home to Katajanokan Laituri, a solid wood office and hotel building, and the largest mass timber construction in Finland to date. Designed by Helsinki-based architectural studio Anttinen Oiva Architects, the 23,000-square-metre landmark building is certified LEED Platinum. The completion of Katajanokan Laituri contributes to Helsinki’s goal of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030. Kalle Kouhia Located in the vicinity of Helsinki ́s famed Market Square, Katajanokan Laituri is the first new building to be built on the Katajanokka waterfront, an area being reimagined as a mixed-use neighbourhood. It is the head office of Stora Enso, a Finnish forestry company and provid... More

In the historic town of Tammisaari on the southern coast of Finland, a new contemporary art house by the sea has made a smart addition to Tammisaari’s cultural scene. Designed by JKMM Architects, a Helsinki-based architecture and design studio, the three-storey timber-clad Chappe Art House pays homage to traditional Finnish wooden architecture while presenting a modern architectural form. The design of Chappe Art House reflects JKMM’s holistic approach to sustainability, rooted in material responsibility, energy efficiency, and sensitivity to place. Tuomas Uusheimo Caption   A modern cultural hub in Tammisaari’s museum quarter Founded in 1546, Tammisaari is known for its well-preserved timber architecture... More