View from plaza.

Winner presentation to Towering Virtuoso - Carbon neutral cultural center precinct, Skellefteå, Sweden (l-r): Dirk E Hebel, Member of the Academic Committee of the Holcim Foundation, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Germany; Robert Schmitz and Oskar Norelius, White arkitekter, Stockholm, Sweden; and Jeannette Kuo, Head of the Holcim Awards jury for Europe 2020, Founding Partner of Karamuk Kuo Architects, Switzerland

Winner presentation to Towering Virtuoso - Carbon neutral cultural center precinct, Skellefteå, Sweden (l-r): Maria Atkinson, Chairperson of the Holcim Foundation (at podium); Dirk E Hebel, Member of the Academic Committee of the Holcim Foundation, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Germany; Robert Schmitz and Oskar Norelius, White arkitekter, Stockholm, Sweden; and Jeannette Kuo, Head of the Holcim Awards jury for Europe 2020, Founding Partner of Karamuk Kuo Architects, Switzerland.

Sara Culture Centre as seen from the future train station. The site topography allows for the creation of a second ground level. The theatre stages are all located on this level for flexibility of operation and to support collaboration. Public foyers are visible from the street and rehearsal spaces have access to daylight. Décor workshops (far left) also open onto the streets to allow passers-by to see the work behind the scenes.

Stage one, multi-use auditorium. 12,000 seats.

Main entrance and façade towards main square. The podium features timber facades, generous glazing, and a multitude of entrances to vitalize the public space. Above, the 20-storey hotel in Cross Laminated Timber is protected by a transparent glass veil. The building aims to be carbon neutral over its lifespan by storing more carbon in the timber structure than emitted during construction, local production of solar energy, high efficiency envelopes and through synergies.

The grand auditorium has 1200 seats. Acoustic panels are made from solid wood.

Main entrance - a new living room for Skellefteå. A democratic seating area overviewing all programs.

The idea of the culture centre originated in workshops with local citizens on how to make the city centre more attractive and reverse a trend of declining population.

Public spaces programmed to attract those who would not traditionally go to a culture center.

Lead architects (l-r): Robert Schmitz and Oskar Norelius of White arkitekter, Stockholm, Sweden.

View of public theatre foyer from construction site, dec 2019.

View of public theatre foyer from construction site, dec 2019.

View of stabilizing elevator shaft from construction site, dec 2019.

The mixed-use programme has called for a range of innovative solutions in mass timber construction to handle spans, flexibility, acoustics, and overall statics.

Aerial view. The collection of wood volumes staggers up to the hotel high-rise.

Sara Culture Centre strives for carbon neutrality first and foremost by reducing emissions at all stages of the building’s lifespan.

Exterior and interior view of hotel room module nr1, in factory in 2019.

Lead architects Oskar Norelius (right) and Robert Schmitz (left), White Arkitekter.