Oskar Norelius is an award-winning architect and partner at White, one of Scandinavia’s leading architecture firms. Oskar directs the international studio in the Stockholm office and is co-lead behind the recently inaugurated Sara Culture Centre in Skellefteå, a climate positive 20 storey mass timber. Oskar is frequently invited to international architecture competitions where high levels of sustainability and architecture is sought after. Oskar is currently co-lead for the Kimmel Quarter in Riga, including the transformation of a historic brewery into a cultural hub, and the new construction of 35.000 sqm offices in timber.
Sara Kulturhus is a 28.000sqm development combining a library, two art galleries, six theatre stages and concert halls with a 200 room hotel. The 20-storey building is designed with a structure of Glue and Cross laminated timber. The innovative construction technique paired with a complex content and a situation right at the centre of town is a true challenge and have made the building a showcase for sustainable construction globally. The building was named best architecture 2021 by The Guardian and received the International Award for Wood Architecture 2022, The Special Prize at the International Urban Design Awards and a Bronze medal at the Holcim Awards 2021.
Outline
Sara Kulturhus is a 28.000sqm development combining a library, two art galleries, six theatre stages and concert halls with a 200 room hotel. The 20-storey building is designed with a structure of Glue and Cross laminated timber. The innovative construction technique paired with a complex content and a situation right at the centre of town is a true challenge, but the project highlights several advantages of building with timber.
Key learning outcomes are:
How the wood-based circular thinking/economic context of Skellefteå inspired the project.
What strategies were successful to bring the building to reality and change the image of the city.
What technical solutions were implemented in the project to overcome challenges such as acoustics, fire and construction economy in a high rise mixed use building.
How the architecture, material choices and energy systems combine to make Sara Culture Centre a climate positive building.
