C.F. Møller's winning design for a new 22-story high-rise set for construction in Västerås is nothing if not unique. The building’s elliptical shape allows for open facades facing in all directions and creates a new silhouette for the city’s skyline.
The building will be constructed as a hybrid of solid wood and concrete. Concrete is the load-bearing construction up to the 15th floor. The remaining seven stories will be framed in solid timber.
A panoramic garden on the 15th floor will act as the demarcation line between the concrete and wood construction. The garden will be a gathering place and common area for the building’s residents and will also be visible from outside the structure, creating a focal point.
Rendering courtesy C.F. Møller.
“Our ambition has been to optimize the synergies between the city, building, and urban greenery,” says Ola Jonsson, architect and associate partner, C.F. Møller, on the firm’s website.
In addition to the 15th-floor garden, urban greenery will be incorporated at the foot of the building in a new square that includes a plant wall and green areas. Additionally, the building’s façade will be covered with undressed wood that is weather-protected by the overlying balconies on each floor. These balconies can be closed and serve as winter gardens to allow for growing seasons to be extended throughout the year.
Tall, thin glass panels will connect the 169,000-sf tower’s balconies. These panels will have integrated lighting to illuminate and highlight the façade even during the night.
Rendering courtesy C.F. Møller.
Rendering courtesy C.F. Møller.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Jan 29, 2024
12 U.S. markets where entertainment districts are under consideration or construction
The Pomp, a 223-acre district located 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and The Armory, a 225,000-sf dining and entertainment venue on six acres in St Louis, are among the top entertainment districts in the works across the U.S.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 17, 2024
Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction
This continuing education course, by Walter P Moore's Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE, covers design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 15, 2024
Multifamily rent growth rate unchanged at 0.3%
The National Multifamily Report by Yardi Matrix highlights the highs and lows of the multifamily market in 2023. Despite strong demand, rent growth remained unchanged at 0.3 percent.
Adaptive Reuse | Jan 12, 2024
Office-to-residential conversions put pressure on curbside management and parking
With many office and commercial buildings being converted to residential use, two important issues—curbside management and parking—are sometimes not given their due attention. Cities need to assess how vehicle storage, bike and bus lanes, and drop-off zones in front of buildings may need to change because of office-to-residential conversions.
MFPRO+ News | Jan 12, 2024
Detroit may tax land more than buildings to spur development of vacant sites
The City of Detroit is considering a revamp of how it taxes property to encourage development of more vacant lots. The land-value tax has rarely been tried in the U.S., but versions of it have been adopted in many other countries.
MFPRO+ News | Jan 12, 2024
As demand rises for EV chargers at multifamily housing properties, options and incentives multiply
As electric vehicle sales continue to increase, more renters are looking for apartments that offer charging options.
Sustainability | Jan 10, 2024
New passive house partnership allows lower cost financing for developers
The new partnership between PACE Equity and Phius allows commercial passive house projects to be automatically eligible for CIRRUS Low Carbon financing.
Giants 400 | Jan 8, 2024
Top 60 Senior Living Facility Construction Firms for 2023
Whiting-Turner, Ryan Companies US, Weis Builders, Suffolk Construction, and W.E. O'Neil Construction top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest senior living facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 8, 2024
Top 40 Senior Living Facility Engineering Firms for 2023
Kimley-Horn, Olsson, Tetra Tech, EXP, and IMEG head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest senior living facility engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 8, 2024
Top 80 Senior Living Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Perkins Eastman, Hord Coplan Macht, Lantz-Boggio Architects, Ryan Companies US, and Moseley Architects top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest senior living facility architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.