white architects nodi office building rises inside wooden frame
explore the possibilities of wood
swedish studio white architects built ‘nodi’ in gothenburg, sweden, a five-storey office building, built in a wooden frame. five increasing staggered levels reveal the possibilities of wood in modern construction, which meets today’s needs. Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames the wooden skeleton and leaves its eye-catching entrance level exposed, inviting passers-by to peek inside.
The architects tried to create a balance between integrity and openness, while at the same time exposing the qualities of the material. much of the building’s original skeleton remains visible inside, creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere with a low climate footprint.all photos courtesy of åke eson lindman
the simple but powerful aesthetics of wood
in addition to the benefits of wood contributing to a low climate footprint, it gives the building a simple but powerful aesthetic. the internally visible frame and the facade clad with vertical slats give a warm touch and give a natural feeling throughout the structure.
The ground floor houses a retail space and above it are stacked four floors with office space that grows in size. in this way, the building’s design contributes to a better indoor climate: the humidity levels and temperatures are more balanced, while the interior is protected from the harsh sun rays. But a lot of natural light penetrates the building, which creates a well-lit work environment. at the top, white architects (see more here) arranged a leafy roof terrace, including a spacious kitchenette that is accessible to all tenants. there, visitors can interact and rest while enjoying the expansive views that open onto the city.
one of Sweden’s first wooden office buildings
as the name reveals – ‘nodi’ means hub – the structure functions as a center in the district of New Hovås and one of the area’s landmarks. At the beginning of 2019, we were commissioned by the next step group to draw one of the new hovås landmarks. four storey office, on top of an entrance floor for shops and city life. the planned development around road 158 makes nodi the area’s hub, with a mixed city of homes, shops and restaurants all around. the bold design has played a significant role in the customer’s occupancy rate, ‘ mentioned the architects.
“Thanks to the close, ambitious and open collaboration between all parties, we have been able to develop a groundbreaking project that has resulted in Gothenburg and also one of Sweden’s first wooden office buildings”, joakim hansson, responsible architect.