During the 2015 Nordic World Ski Championships in Sweden, Stora Enso showcased its wood products by sponsoring the construction of the administrative offices. This building served as a functional and aesthetic hub for the event and continues to highlight the potential of high-quality wood products.

The building features a modern and open design, with large windows that provide lots of natural light and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

The interior spaces are designed to be flexible and adaptable, with movable walls and modular furniture that can be easily reconfigured to meet the needs of different events and activities.

The building also features a number of amenities that make it a comfortable and convenient place to work and visit. For example, there are spacious meeting rooms, a large conference hall, and a cafeteria.

This project was carried out by Stora Enso's partner, ByggPartner, a prominent Swedish construction company. The structural design for the overall arena was Sweco, a leading engineering and architecture firm. The architect was Ettelva arkitekter with detailing by Mondo arkitekter.

The building was designed for energy efficiency in harsh weather conditions with a focus on reducing the overall carbon footprint in both materials, construction and operational costs.

Materials

The structure uses of cross-laminated timber (CLT). CLT is a type of engineered wood that is known for its strength, durability, and small carbon footprint. It is made by gluing together layers of timber at right angles to each other, creating a strong and stable material that was prefabricated into roof, wall, and floor elements (Sylva™ kit of parts).

The large windows help reduce the dependency on artificial light and are supported by high-quality wooden components combined with Effex®Dura on the inside surface.

The flooring and interior ceiling was made with finger-jointed wooden components including Effex®Dura, a sustainable wood product that is known for its durability and aesthetics.

The exterior is clad with 300 square metres of ThermoWood®, a type of heat-treated wood resistant to decay and weathering. Cladding was also used on part of the exterior entrance and stairwell.

The building also features the use of black paint by Falu Rödfärg by Stora Enso, a traditional Swedish pigment known for its durability. Read more about the fascinating history of the paint here.

Sustainability

By prefabricating wooden elements in the mill Stora Enso could control and reduce the manufacturing emissions such as using renewable energy in their mills, making optimal use of the wood so that no part of the tree went to waste and delivering directly from the mill to the construction site with the lowest possible transport emission, and requiring fewer on-site emissions.

The wood used to make the CLT removed 179 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere while the trees were growing and will continue to store it in the fabric of the building. (Source Stora Enso Carbon calculator).

Operational energy

Wood products have excellent thermal insulation properties. This reduces the need for artificial heating and cooling, leading to lower energy bills. (Source).

The building also has triple-glazed windows and thick walls to keep out the cold. A rainwater harvesting system collects and stores rainwater for use in irrigation and other non-potable applications. The landscaping around the building uses native plants and trees that require minimal water and maintenance.

Because Stora Enso's wood products are highly durable, the long-term maintenance typically requires little repair and replacement costs. (Source).

Legacy

The 2015 Nordic World Ski Championships office has had a lasting impact on the community in Falun and beyond. The building has become a symbol of sustainable construction and has inspired other projects in the region to adopt similar practices. It has also provided a valuable resource for the community, serving as a hub for events and activities long after the championships were over.

Would you like to view other ski pavilions and projects that use a wide variety of different wood products?

Nordic World Ski Championship's Pavilion 2023

Athletes' Village Ski Flying World Championships

Eco Pavilion, Nordic World Ski Championships

Learn more about

Construction of the arena in Dezeen

Construction advantages with wood

Decarbonising the built environment - Wood Products | Stora Enso