A leading Scandinavian developer has revealed it will build the world’s largest urban construction project in wood.
Atrium Ljungberg, one of Sweden’s largest listed urban development companies, says it will build the 2000 home, 7000 office spaces precinct on a 250,000sq m site in Sickla, a former industrial quarter in southern Stockholm.
The development “will offer a vibrant, urban environment with a mix of workplaces, housing, restaurants and shops”, according to the developer.
Atrium Ljungberg chief executive Annica Ånäs said the precinct was not only “an important step for us as a company, but a historic milestone for Swedish innovation capability”.
“Stockholm Wood City manifests our future. From tenants, there is a strong demand for innovative, sustainable solutions—a demand that we meet with this initiative.
“Our industry leaves a big mark and it is important for us to make a positive difference in both the shorter and longer term.
“We want to create an environment where our customers, those who will live and work here, can participate in the development and design of the city district of the future.”
Modern wooden construction is on the rise across the world including in Australia but by-and-large, completed projects so far have been individual buildings.
Atrium Ljungberg said the advantages of wooden buildings were many, both for the environment and for people’s health and well-being.
“As shown by various research studies, wooden buildings provide better air quality, reduce stress, increase productivity and store carbon dioxide throughout the time they are in use,” a spokesperson said.
“In addition to the advantages of wood, the project entails several other environmental benefits.
“The emphasis on office spaces is a way to meet the deficit in workplaces south of Stockholm’s inner city, to shorten commuting times for more people.
“In a country where energy supply and efficiency are high up on the national agenda, the project will focus on self-produced, stored and shared energy.
“By investing in resource-efficient construction methods and circular material flows, Atrium Ljungberg wants to change the role of the urban developer.
“Our ambition is to be a catalyst for innovation just as much as its Swedish peers in industries such as technology, manufacturing and retail.”
Atrium Ljungberg has been developing Sickla for about 20 years. By 2030, it will have its own station on the Blue Line, one of three Stockholm metro lines.
Work is planned to begin on the site next year and the first buildings completed in 2027.