Wihlborgs Space office building wins Building of the Year 2024
Space (Kunskapen 1) in Science Village in Lund was named Building of the Year (Swe: Årets Bygge) for 2024 in the Hotel and Office category by the industry journal Byggindustrin and the Construction Summit trade fair. In the construction of Space, the choice of material has been adapted for each section and function with the aim of making the building long-term sustainable.
The 18 best construction projects in Sweden, divided into six categories, fought for the title. The winner Space within Hotel and Office was chosen at the Construction Summit on Tuesday.
From basis decision:
The project became a reality after a competitive procurement with both innovation requirements and a tight deadline as central components. In Lund's windiest location, a triple-certified office building with a hybrid frame was created after contractor and developer went hand-in-hand all the way from start to finish.
In the end of 2023, Space was the first building to be completed in the Science Village research village, with Veidekke as the contractor. The tenant Oatly has established a new research and innovation centre here.
In autumn, Space also became the first lab-equipped building certified according to NollCO2, a certification entailing a net zero climate impact. An important aspect in the process toward NollCO2 certification has been reducing material use at every stage. The building’s skeleton comprises a hybrid framework using structural steel with a recycling rate of over 65 percent. Steel beams have been used where weather conditions are most severe and a glass wall protects the wooden facade against heavy rain and direct sunlight, which increases sustainability and reduces energy consumption.
“Space is not just an attractive, Scandinavian wooden building that sets a distinctive mark on the growing Science Village. It’s also notable for its high sustainability ambitions. Throughout the entire project, we worked in close collaboration with Veidekke on a ‘right material in the right place’ basis and really challenged ourselves in terms of material use. We are passionate about this building and this area, and we’re incredibly proud to receive this prestigious distinction,” says Helena Pålsson, Project Manager at Wihlborgs.
“In addition to the right material in the right place, we also had the right people in the right place. Through hard work, expertise and committed employees at every stage of the project, we successfully delivered a project above and beyond the ordinary, and we’re very proud that it’s now being recognised with the Building of the Year award for 2024,” says Martin Bauer, Project Manager at Veidekke Entreprenad AB.
About Space
In autumn 2023, Space was completed adjacent to Rydbergs Torg and the tram station, and is an innovation hub with offices and labs. The 6,000 square metre building will become a natural focal point for companies, individuals and research disciplines that are working with the development of sustainable solutions of the future. Space was constructed from timber and in a Scandinavian style, and is certified to Miljöbyggnad Gold, WELL and NollCO2.
In autumn 2023, the oat-drink manufacturer Oatly moved in with a new research and innovation centre.
Read more: Space, Science Village, Lund – Wihlborgs
Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB (publ)
