Stockholm developers are gearing up to build the world’s largest urban construction project in wood.
The “wooden city” will be constructed in an old industrial zone of the capital city of Sweden, where former factory buildings and parking lots once stood. This groundbreaking project will encompass 30 wood buildings, spanning an impressive 25 blocks.
Atrium Ljungberg, the visionary development company behind the project, aims to showcase the immense potential of mass timber construction. Annica Ånäs, CEO of Atrium Ljungberg, emphasizes the company’s commitment to creating interconnected urban areas.
“Our core strategy is to develop large interconnected areas,” Ånäs said. “In this way, we can create places full of variety that people enjoy and where they want to be, as opposed to just setting up a single building.”
The construction of Stockholm Wood City is scheduled to commence in 2025, with the first buildings slated for completion in 2027.
The wood city is being designed by Danish studio Henning Larsen and Swedish firm White Arkitekter.
Stockholm Wood City facts:
- The city will feature 7,000 office spaces and 2,000 homes in Sickla, located in the southern, central parts of Stockholm
- It will offer a vibrant, urban environment with a mix of workplaces, housing, restaurants and shops.
- The ambitious project extends over 250,000 square meters, making it the world’s largest known construction project in wood.
Why choose wood for construction?
Stockholm Wood City marks a new era for sustainable architecture and urban development. Wooden buildings are beneficial for both the environment and people’s well-being as wooden buildings provide better air quality, reduce stress and store carbon dioxide throughout the time they are in use, according to studies.
By integrating additional workspaces into the area, the project seeks to address the imbalance in Stockholm’s current urban layout. Currently, a significant portion of the population resides south of the city center, while a majority of workspaces are situated to the north.
Sickla — a 5-minute city
In Sickla, everything the residents need will be just a 5-minute walk away. This includes Sweden’s third-largest shopping centre, with over 180 shops and restaurants, right next to workplaces, homes, hotels, schools, preschools, health, culture and nature.
To further enhance accessibility, a new subway line will be introduced in the vicinity, connecting the wooden city to the city center via a short train ride. Moreover, the development aligns with the concept of a city, where residents can conveniently reach their daily destinations through short walks or bike rides within 15 minutes.
“The new development will create a dense, green city area with circular and sustainable principles built into the whole ecosystem,” Ånäs said.
Sustainable urban development
The wooden city in Stockholm represents a bold step forward in sustainable urban development. This sustainable choice avoids the significant carbon footprint associated with conventional building materials like concrete and steel. While the use of mass timber is gaining traction, projects of this scale are typically limited to individual buildings.
Aside from environmental benefits, Ånäs highlighted the advantages of building with wood, including faster and quieter construction processes.
Given the phased nature of the project, Atrium Ljungberg expects to gather valuable insights and refine mass timber construction techniques as the development progresses.