Copenhagen, Denmark
“With its deep connection to Scandinavia, from its landscapes to its architectural tradition, World of Volvo has given us the opportunity to explore the profound relationship between architecture and the natural environment,” states Søren Øllgaard, Design Director at Henning Larsen Architects.
European Prize for Architecture laureates Henning Larsen Architects along with interior architects Nordström Kelly Arkitekter have unveiled the design for an all-timber experience center for the World of Volvo combining elements of Scandinavian landscape, environment, and design.
Located in Gothenburg’s event district—home to many of the city’s museums, parks, and entertainment venues—the 22,000 m²/236,805 ft² building is expected to be completed in late 2023, with the timber construction starting in the spring of 2021.
World of Volvo is designed around the Swedish concept of “Allemansrätten,” denoting the fundamental right that all citizens share to nature: the right to roam freely on any land (public or private), showing consideration for nature and for others.
This tenet has become not just a right, but a central part of the Swedish ethos and one that lives in citizens, businesses, and organizations alike—included.
The circular form of World of Volvo, encompassing both care of nature and consideration for people, encourages visitors to make their own experience both inside and outside, regardless of whether they hold tickets to the exhibitions inside.
World of Volvo’s timber construction is at once the most forward-facing and most traditional element of the project. While Sweden (like many Nordic countries) has a long tradition of timber construction, World of Volvo takes a decidedly modern approach.
The beams and columns are built from glulam timber, a wood product that constitutes multiple layers of dimensional lumber bonded by a durable moisture-resistant structural adhesive.
Computer-controlled fabrication allows the curved glulam pieces to be cut with a high degree of precision.
Rigidity and continuity in the structure is guaranteed with metal connectors that can be hidden inside the wooden members. The floor slabs are made of locally sourced CLT, cross laminated timber.
The reference to nature in the arcing “branches” and roof “canopy” is by design, with the concept for the structure centered around the idea of The Mountain (the landscape and building’s base) and The Tree (the building itself.)
The large landscape that surrounds the building brings the nature of Sweden to the center of Gothenburg, covering the area in delicate flowers and native plants that bloom between, rocky outcroppings and meandering paths.
And just like in the landscapes across the country, visitors are encouraged to inhabit the landscape however they like, keeping in mind the principle of “allemansrätten:” leave no trace.
Growing out from the Mountain are three vast “trees,” their trunks large enough to contain small exhibit spaces, vertical circulation, bran exhibition, and service functions.
The open space between the trees is left largely empty, save for sculptural stairs (the fertile Swedish forest floor) that link the level and exhibit items that dot the floor.
The interior space blends smoothly with the outdoors, floor-to-ceiling glass façades creating a seamless transition into the sprawling nature beyond.
Located along Mölndalsån, the site for World of Volvo links to a promenade that traces the stream’s eastern bank up to Gothenburg’s city center.
A number of green and functional cross-links of different types connect both sides of the river, allowing visitors to wind their way towards the site as they choose. While these links promote physical accessibility for walking and cycling, they also restore Mölndalsån’s ecological and visual connectivity.
On the other side of the World of Volvo site passes the E6 highway, from which travelers will catch a high-speed glimpse of the project’s tilted roof and exhibitions inside. Whether passing from the east at 80km/h or from the west at 5km/hm the building doesn’t fully reveal all its spaces from within. It is up to the visitors to make their way and determine their own experience.
“Our goal was to give form to something very essential to the Swedish spirit. World of Volvo’s circular form, the timber materiality, its integration with the landscape, and, fundamentally, its openness—these things are all parts of a core collective identity,” states Martin Stenberg Ringnér, Associate Design Director, Henning Larsen Architects, Sweden.
“Our approach brings a native piece of Swedish nature to the middle of the city of Gothenburg,” says Sonja Stockmarr, Global Design Director for Landscape at Henning Larsen.
“The landscape, from the Swedish quarries and the wooden structure, built with the pine trees, moss, and shrubs of the Swedish forest, make up the nature surrounding World of Volvo.”
Project: World of Volvo
Architects: Henning Larsen Architects
Interior Architects: Nordström Kelly Arkitekter AB
Wood Structure: Engineering and production by Wiehag GmbH
Structural Engineers: Optima Engineering AB and BRA Teknik
Client: World of Volvo
Drawings: Kvant1
