Photo: Jirka Jansch
The Swedish institute and Sveriges Arkitekter, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy in Berlin, presents Woodland Sweden - Contemporary Timber Construction, an exhibition of contemporary timber architecture projects, including Villa N1 by Lindvall A & D.
A growing awareness of the importance of sustainable building, from materials to processes, has created a renewed interest in timber construction in Scandinavia and beyond. Building with wood has a deep rooted history in Sweden, due to the abundance of woodlands that dominate the Swedish landscape. Forests of fast growing trees have, for centuries, provided a constant source of locally produced, natural building materials, creating a tradition of wooden homes that have become characteristic of Sweden's architectural vernacular. And the trend continues as the latest digital technologies enable architects to explore both the creative and technical possibilities that wood offers.
Villa N1, completed in 2014, is a family summer home comprising of five separate timber volumes. Taking inspiration from traditional barns within the region, the planks are placed horizontally, rather than vertically. As wood is a living, organic material, the facade is untreated and therefore ages and changes appearance over time, emphasizing the natural and constantly evolving beauty of wood.
Woodland Sweden - Contemporary Timber Construction is on show at Aedes Architekture Forum, Berlin until 11 October. For more information: