Aiming to create a benchmark for sustainability, all parts of the building, including walls, beams, balconies, lifts and stairwells, are made of cross-laminated timber.
Located in the Kajstaden district of Västerås, an hour's drive from Stockholm, with beautiful views of Lake Mälaren, Kajstaden Tower is 8.5 storeys high, with an elevated ground floor and a double height top floor.
The building was developed in close collaboration with Martinsons, Bjerking and Consto AB, with Slättö Förvaltning as the client.
“The building in Kajstaden constitutes a new chapter in the history of construction, as it is currently Sweden's tallest solid-timber building,” said Ola Jonsson, associate partner at C.F. Møller Architects.
“Through research projects and our other timber projects we have focused on innovation and contributed towards developing ways of realising high-rise buildings made of timber.
"Industrial timber technology also provides architects with better tools for designing beautiful houses that boast a high degree of detail.”
Use of CNC-milled solid timber and glulam constitutes a high-precision technology and provides an airtight – and thus energy-efficient – building without adding other materials to the walls.
In the building in Kajstaden there are four flats on each floor, and each floor took three craftsmen an average of three days to put together.
Mechanical joints and screws have been used, which means that the building can later be taken apart and the materials can be reused.
“Wood technology facilitates a value-adding lifecycle perspective in all stages of construction and is crucial to the goal of a bio-based circular economy,” said Rob Marsh, sustainability manager at C.F. Møller Architects.
“The total carbon-dioxide savings from use of solid wood instead of concrete are estimated at 550 tonnes of CO2 over the building’s life.”
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