In the mining town of Gällivare in Swedish Lapland, the Kunskapshuset (House of Knowledge) is an important addition to a complex that is sustainable in economic, ecological and social terms, as well as functional and architecturally attractive. The six-storey, terraced newbuild, which fuses components of traditional Swedish architecture to create an expressive ensemble, is home to 850 sixth form students and an adult education centre. The red façade of the building is inspired by the colours of the surrounding nature. The huge, external façade mullions made of glued laminated timber are the most striking feature on the exterior. Arranged in pairs and with a sawtooth-like profile, they break up the views of the building vertically and horizontally. In the conference rooms on the top floor, the canteen on the ground floor and the impressive, five-storey entrance hall, elements of the exterior are repeated inside the building. (Janisol 2, Janisol C4, Economy 60, Janisol, AWS 75.SI)

Source: Profile magazine, issue 26

Download the profile 26 here (pdf, 8.4 MB)