Sara Culture House - a building of the highest level

Sara Culture House will be one of the world's tallest wooden buildings. But it's more than the height that's world-class. The construction is the result of local collaboration with unique expertise in timber construction.
- It's collaboration across borders and expertise coming together from all walks of life, says Daniel Wilded, Business Developer at Martinsons Building Systems.

"... that there was a common knowledge in nature that held everything together, that trees, water, ants, bears, squirrels, crows and voles all knew about each other? ..."

Just as Sara Lidman writes in Järnkronan, a cultural centre in Skellefteå should be the result of a cycle and be based on a life cycle perspective where everything is interconnected. The raw materials, the workforce and the local construction technology - most of it is sourced locally.

Martinsons is one of the companies involved in building Sara Kulturhus. The company's job is to supply the frame of the building. Production takes place in Bygdsiljum, six miles outside Skellefteå. Martinsons uses two materials, glulam for the columns and beams, and cross-laminated timber for the boards. In this way, a skeletal structure can first be built up, which is then clad with boards to create walls, beams and a roof.

Daniel Wilded stresses that local cooperation is a success factor in the project.

- The raw material is super-local to begin with. It's wood from our forests around Skellefteå. Then several of our subcontractors are local. That's a big advantage and has been cruelly effective. Together we have the right skills, experience and can contribute with many clever solutions," he says.

The fact that many of the companies involved are located in and around Skellefteå is no coincidence, says Daniel.

- Skellefteå is a wooden city for a reason. We have a solid history of wood expertise and wood industry, both carpentry and large-scale construction. Skellefteå municipality has been a contributing factor to the development of the industry over the years," he says.

Mounted in Renholmen

Martinsons sends parts of the construction to Renholmen north of Byske, where the company Derome has the task of assembling the finished hotel rooms. The factory is divided into different processes. One station lays floors, another makes ceilings and a third paints. Finally, finished, square packages are sent to the construction site.

Derome also highlights the strength of the local.

- We have noticed that the staff has grown from working on a local project. There is a sense of pride in building a unique house that will be here," says Petra Eriksson, business manager at Derome.

In addition to Martinsons and Derome, a number of other local actors are involved in the project. The Burträsk company TK Botnia has been the designer and project manager. Skellefteå Kraft is collaborating with ABB on an overall solution for the energy aspects of the building. Construction hoists from Alimak are used in the construction.

Promoting wood construction

Petra Eriksson at Derome believes that the project can benefit timber construction in Skellefteå in the future.

- We are very positive about putting Skellefteå on the map. To be able to invite customers from all over the world and show what you can do with wood - it's an incredible thing. This will be Skellefteå's equivalent of the ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi," she says.

Daniel Wilded thinks the word "together" sums up the construction of Sara's cultural centre best.

- It's a team game. It's collaboration across borders and skills coming together from all walks of life. From clients to general contractors to suppliers. Martinsons didn't build this building, we were involved along with many others," he says.