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
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2016
A new research platform launches for a data-deprived multifamily sector
The list of leading developers, owners, and property managers that are funding the NMHC Research Foundation speaks to the information gap it hopes to fill.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 12, 2016
Apartment completions in largest metros on pace to increase by 50% in 2016
Texas is leading this multifamily construction boom, according to latest RENTCafé estimates.
Regulations | Aug 9, 2016
New trend eases parking requirements for U.S. cities
Transit-oriented development and affordable housing are spurring the movement.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 9, 2016
Surge Homes brings the concept of micro condos to Houston
The sub-500-sf homes will be the first of their kind to be offered in the metro known as Space City
| Aug 4, 2016
MULTIFAMILY BUILDING GIANTS: Rental complexes focus on affordability, accessibility, and specialty amenities
To address the affordability problem and attract tenants, owners and developers are experimenting with smaller and smaller units, amenity-rich environments, and “co-living” concepts.
| Aug 4, 2016
Top 50 Multifamily Engineering Firms
Jacobs, AECOM, and Arup top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest multifamily building sector engineering and E/A firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 4, 2016
Top 80 Multifamily Construction Firms
Lendlease, Suffolk Construction Co., and Clark Group top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest multifamily building sector construction and construction management firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 4, 2016
Top 110 Multifamily Architecture Firms
Perkins Eastman, CallisonRTKL, and Solomon Cordwell Buenz top Building Design+Construction’s annual ranking of the nation’s largest multifamily building sector architecture and A/E firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 20, 2016
Colorful Boston Road building offers affordable housing in the Bronx
Designed by NYC’s Alexander Gorlin Architects, the 12-story building will have 154 studio apartments for low-income working adults.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 18, 2016
Four residential projects named winners of the 2016 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards
Affordable housing, specialized housing, and accessible housing projects were honored.