A library serving the Gothenburg community

Abstract

This master thesis investigates wood, a material that in recent years is becoming relevant in contemporary architecture. For a long time in history wood was the main building material, but with the advent of reinforced concrete this material has been almost forgotten. In recent years, however, the characteristics and merits of this environmentally friendly construction material have been rediscovered. My primary focus for this study is to utilize new wooden components as a central element in the design of a building. Through this process, I will conduct a comprehensive investigation of these innovative materials, assessing their viability and effectiveness in construction. The outcome is to design a free standing public building, a library, which has wood as main material in its design. The project area is located on a parking lot next to the historic Feskekörka building, an icon of the city of Gothenburg. The site is located in a central area of the city, close to the historic center and the canal that surrounds the Inom Vallgraven area. The goal of this thesis is to answer the research question by designing a building that harmoniously interacts with its environment, contents, and users. By utilizing new wooden components, I aim to create a sustainable and functional structure that enhances the user experience and effectively accommodates the building’s intended purpose. Research questions: How can new timber elements influence architecture ? In what ways can the use of modern timber elements create a more expressive and cohesive spatial experience?