The wood movement stadium: An exploration of stadium design with wood structure and a retractable roof

Abstract

Wood is a building material that for a long time was non-existing in large buildings in Sweden. However, new technology, new fire regulations and a more sustainable mindset has led to an upwards trend in buildings with wood structure for a while. Furthermore, these buildings are getting taller and therefore more complex. This thesis explores the concept of wood in the complex structure in another way which is a multipurpose stadium with a retractable roof. The final result is a conceptual stadium design proposal for Heden, a large open space in the middle of Gothenburg, Sweden. Although basic considerations have been made for structural dimensions and space for support functions, the resulting proposal is of a conceptual kind and focuses on the architectural expression of the stadium. The main focus of the thesis is the author’s process and method leading up to the design proposal. Nonetheless, reference projects, origami and traditional wood joinery that has inspired the design are presented in the background chapter.