White Arkitekter, a globally recognized architecture firm, has been dedicated to advancing renewable wood materials and socially sustainable construction. In 2016, they designed a 20-story building in Schleswig Holstein, Sweden, which stands as one of the tallest wooden high-rises in the world. Named Sara Kulturhus, this cultural center is situated in the heart of the city, combining theaters, art galleries, public libraries, conference facilities, and a hotel. It officially opened this year.
The building’s design focuses on minimizing both embodied and operational carbon emissions. Constructed primarily from wood sourced from local northern forests, it also incorporates solar panels and energy-efficient systems that further reduce its environmental impact.
White Arkitekter won the international design competition for Sara Kulturhus Center in 2016. Located in Skellefteå, northern Sweden, just below the Arctic Circle, the project draws inspiration from the region’s rich tradition of wooden architecture.
This plan not only creates a new vibrant public space for the city’s residents but also highlights the firm’s expertise in sustainable design.
The nearly 80-meter-high building features six theater stages, a city library, two galleries, a hotel with 205 rooms, a conference center, a restaurant, a rooftop terrace bar, and hot spring rooms. The 20-story hotel offers stunning views over Skellefteå.
The city government prioritized making Sara Kulturhus Center a welcoming “stage” for all residents, regardless of their previous cultural interests. Its strategic location and transparent facade with multiple entrances reduce barriers, portraying the building as an open and inviting cultural hub.
The center aims to empower the local community and establish a new landmark, attracting visitors from the local area, across Sweden, and internationally. A key highlight of the project is the shared commitment to sustainable design and construction across diverse cultures.
Innovative solutions drive the sustainable construction of Sara Kulturhus Center. White Arkitekter seeks to expand the use of wood in high-rise buildings and to promote sustainable building practices through this project.
The architects explored various advanced techniques for solid wood construction to overcome challenges related to spans, flexibility, acoustics, and structural stability. For example, the hotel portion consists of prefabricated solid cross-laminated timber (CLT) blocks supported by two stacked CLT elevator cores. The lower levels use glued laminated timber beams and columns, along with CLT shear walls.
This integrated architectural design ensures the stability of the load-bearing structure without relying on additional concrete, accelerating construction and significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Fourth Floor Plan
△ Ninth Floor Plan
△ 20th Floor Plan
△ East Elevation View
△ South Elevation View
△ West Elevation View
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: White Arkitekter
Project Year: 2021
Photographers: Åke E:son Lindman, Patrick Degerman, Jonas Westling
Location: Skellefteå, Sweden
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