The Tall Timber Building residence has become a landmark and, during construction, became Sweden’s tallest solid wooden building in the new district of Kajstaden at Lake Mälaren in Västerås. All parts of the building consist of cross-laminated wood, which includes the walls, joists and balconies as well as the lift and stairwell shafts.
Kajstaden – Tall Timber Building is an important landmark for sustainable construction and a reference project that shows that conversion to climate conscious architecture is possible. Through research projects and several active wood projects, C.F. Møller Architects has focused on innovation as well as developing and implementing multi-storey buildings with solid wood frames. In Kajstaden, an active decision was made to prioritise industrial timber techniques for the building material to influence and take responsibility for the impact of the construction industry on the environment and climate change. A crucial advantage of wood, unlike other building materials, is that the production chain for the material produces a limited amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Instead, it is part of a closed cycle, where carbon is retained in the frame of the building.
Research also shows that buildings with a wooden frame make a positive contribution to human health and well-being- thanks to better air quality and acoustic qualities.
Kajstaden is a central residential neighborhood near the water in the Öster Mälarstrand area of Västerås. The new neighbourhood is designed as a city block and is a natural extension of Västerås city centre.
The area includes Mälarparken and Notuddsparken, which link together to form a cohesive green area. The neighborhood has a generous view of Lake Mälaren and is located directly adjacent to the square and the quayside promenade. The concept includes an electric boat sharing scheme and a special chilled room in the lobby for food deliveries from MatHem. The housing being constructed is comprised of 99 flats with the first stage estimated to be complete by the spring of 2018. In its entirety, the local plan for Öster Mälarstrand contains about 700 flats with marinas for recreational boats, which will be connected and integrated with new residential developments.
The winning C.F. Møller project is a high-rise building including a panoramic garden on the 15th floor.
The high-rise building marks a new significant silhouette in Västerås skyline and a characteristic landmark for the entire district of Lilludden. The three-dimensional facades and a green panoramic garden on the 15th floor overlooking the city and Lake Mälaren characterizes the architecture. C.F. Møller suggests in the competition proposal that the frame is carried out as a hybrid of solid wood and concrete.
Västerås Travel Center is a new transportation hub for trains, buses, taxis, bikes and pedestrians in the heart of Västerås – one of Sweden’s largest cities. The 17-acre project is part of the ambitious long-term urban redevelopment plan “3B – Build Away the Barriers” that seeks to redesign the area surrounding the railway station, reconnecting it to the city of Västerås.
Team, Phase Two: Johan Bergström, Megan Cumming, Teodor Cristian Fratila, Malgorzata Mutkowska, Ioana Farţadi Scurtu, Magnus Garvoll, Nicolas Millot, Perle Van de Wyngaert, Andreas Klok Pedersen, Finn Nørkjær, Tobias Hjortdal
Team, Phase One: Andreas Klok Pedersen, Oscar Abrahamsson, Nicolas Millot, Camila Luise de Andrade Stadler, Gwendoline Eveillard, Franck Fdida, Giedrius Mamavicius