World of Volvo

With the timber structure already coming up,Henning Larsen is pleased to reveal the design for World of Volvo, a uniqueexperience center and meeting place for the famed Swedish brands, Volvo Carsand Volvo Group in Gothenburg that puts its focus on Scandinavian landscape,environment, and traditions. After winning the interview competition forWorld of Volvo in late 2018, Henning Larsen is proud to share the design forthe 22,000 sqm experience center as site work begins in Gothenburg. World ofVolvo will unite the brands of Volvo Group and Volvo Cars to share the history,tradition, and future of the famed Swedish brand in a single structure. It willbe an embodiment of the Volvo brand values and aspirations. Located inGothenburg s Event district (home to many of the city s museums, parks, andentertainment venues), the project is expected to be completed in late 2023 andopen to visitors in 2024. World of Volvo is designed around the Swedishconcept of Allemansrätten, denoting the fundamental right that all citizensshare to nature: the right to roam freely on any land (public or private),showing consideration for nature and for others. This tenet has become not justa right, but a central part of the Swedish ethos and one that lives incitizens, businesses, and organisations alike Volvo included. The circular form of World of Volvo, encompassing both care of nature and consideration for people, encourages visitors to make their own experience both inside and outside, regardless of whether they hold tickets to the exhibitions inside. World of Volvo s timber construction is atonce the most forward-facing and most traditional element of the project. WhileSweden (like many Nordic countries) has a long tradition of timber construction,World of Volvo takes a decidedly modern approach. The beams and columns arebuilt from glulam timber, a wood product that constitutes multiple layers ofdimensional lumber bonded by a durable moisture-resistant structural adhesive. Computer-controlled fabrication allows the curved glulam pieces to be cut witha high degree of precision. Rigidity and continuity in the structure isguaranteed with metal connectors that can be hidden inside the wooden members. The floor slabs are made of locally sourced CLT, cross laminated timber. The reference to nature in the arcing branches and roof canopy is by design, with the concept for the structure centered around theidea of The Mountain (the landscape and building s base) and The Tree (thebuilding itself.) The large landscape that surrounds thebuilding brings the nature of Sweden to the center of Gothenburg, covering thearea in delicate flowers and native plants that bloom between, rockyoutcroppings and meandering paths. And just like in the landscapes across thecountry, visitors are encouraged to inhabit the landscape however they like,keeping in mind the principle of allemansrätten: leave no trace. Project name: World of Volvo