Tratoppen, Stockholm
Conceptual designs for a timber skyscraper in Stockholm were released in April 2016 by Anders Berensson Architects. Commissioned by the Stockholm Center Party, Tratoppen (‘the tree top’) is intended to stand on top of the existing Parkaden car park, leaving the façade intact.
At 133 m, the building would be the tallest in Stockholm. According to the studio: ‘If we want to reduce the amount of cars in the city center of Stockholm, and at the same time make space for more housing without building on green areas, then replacing car parks with housing, shops and restaurants feels obvious.’
The 40-storey tower will be built out of cross-laminated timber (CLT), the façade being patterned with large numbers corresponding to the floor number. This will also create a sun screen, keeping the building cool and energy efficient.
The architect said: “Today in Sweden, CLT is a rather new technique and is mostly used for low buildings, but we wanted to show its potential especially since Sweden has a big wood industry.”
The concept is that the tower will be built on top of the 1960s Parkaden car park, designed by Hans Asplund, but stepped back 6 m from the existing façade so as not to interfere with the car park’s character, and to create a large public terrace on the seventh floor. The car park structure itself wil be used for retail and restaurant space.
While there are no immediate plans to realise the project, the Center Party may commission the building in one form or another if they are voted into government at the next election. At the least though, it provides further evidence of architects viewing the use of timber as an increasingly promising and viable construction material, with recent projects proposed for London and Hyperion in Bordeaux.
Content and images courtesy of Anders Berensson Architects
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki:
Featured articles and news
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.