Stockholm Wood City - the world's largest timber construction project takes shape in Sweden

Developed by Swedish company Atrium Ljungberg in Stockholm's Sickla neighborhood, Stockholm Wood City will become the largest neighborhood built predominantly of wood, housing 2,000 new homes and 7,000 office spaces. Work began in October 2024 and will last until 2027.

Why wood?

As we already know, the benefits of wooden buildings are multiple and tangible, both for the environment and for human health and well-being. Wooden buildings provide better air quality, reduce stress, increase productivity and store carbon dioxide throughout their use. Using wood means, among other benefits, reduced construction time, quieter building sites and less heavy transportation during construction.

"Wood has a smaller carbon footprint than concrete or steel, so as long as it comes from sustainably managed forests, it's a better choice," explains Lena Dahl, senior forestry expert at WWF Sweden, for Time magazine.

One of the main concerns about wooden buildings is fire safety. But Håkan Hyllengren, the project's development director, points out to Time magazine that "it's hard for wood to catch fire", explaining that the material chars on the outside at around 300°C, creating a protective barrier that limits the spread of flames.

Although wood is about 10% more expensive than steel or concrete, the extra costs are recouped through the efficiency of the construction process. "You have to look at the whole project," says Hyllengren. "By building much faster than when we use normal concrete, we can reduce the time (to complete the project)."

Office, residential and entertainment buildings in southern Stockholm

Stockholm Wood City is not just about sustainable buildings. "We can tell the story of how to build a liveable city, how to bring nature into the city and build something sustainable. It's not just about wood, it's about the whole concept," Hyllengren tells Time magazine.

The project includes bicycle facilities, a new subway station, rooftop gardens, solar panels and "pocket parks" between blocks, populated with wildflowers to enhance biodiversity. With an investment of 12 billion Swedish kronor (about $1.1 billion), the project is the result of a collaboration between Danish studio Henning Larsson and Swedish firm White Arcticer, according to the VisionaryBuilds channel.

The Stockholm Wood City project marks an important moment in the evolution of sustainable construction on a global scale and could become a model for future urban developments that emphasize sustainability and quality of life.

Below a video by VisionaryBuilds about Stockholm Wood City