Wooden High-riseWooden High-riseWooden High-rise
A new mixed-use development with 240 apartments in Loudden, Stockholm, all built using solid wood techniques for the specialist wood construction developer Folkhem.
Stockholm is growing fast, and the Loudden area—the former international transport harbour on the north-eastern island of Djurgården—is planned to be converted into a new urban district. In line with the overall ambition for this development to achieve long-term, environmentally sustainable solutions, ThamVidegård have developed a proposal for apartment blocks in solid wood.
The project investigates the possibility of building high-rise structures along the quay, adjacent to a planned six-storey urban block structure following the classical carré typology. The project aims to create new urban and spatial qualities through a careful study of placement, outlooks, solar angles, street sections, and architectural form.
The selected site in the northern part of the former harbour area sits directly on the quay next to the sea. Four 20-storey apartment buildings form a new landmark—a cornerstone within the new area. Gaps between the buildings provide open views from the block behind towards the sea and allow direct sunlight to reach the north-facing quay promenade.
The high-rise towers are interconnected by a three-storey base that creates a clear street section. Its folded plan shapes exterior spaces for meetings and outdoor activities in wind-sheltered, sunny locations.
The buildings are constructed entirely from one material: Swedish solid wood, from the frame to the façade, finishes, and windows. Through the consistent use of a renewable material, the result is a sustainable, well-insulated, and robust structure with the potential to perform well over time and minimise total energy consumption.
The roof of the lower base will be covered with sedum plants to manage rainwater, while the roofs of the four towers will be fitted with solar cells. At the top of each tower, there is a communal winter garden for recreation and social activities.
