Oslo-based Oslotre Architects has unveiled an innovative all-timber office building in Kristiansand, Norway. Named Lumber Building 4, the 3,106-square-metre structure is the first and largest mass timber commercial building in southern Norway, setting a new benchmark for sustainable architecture.
The six-story building, now the headquarters for Green Tech companies, houses offices on the upper five floors, while the ground floor is dedicated to retail space. The project showcases a striking curved wooden façade, constructed from prefabricated, curved pieces covered in green tar, highlighting the aesthetic and functional capabilities of timber.
Lumber Building 4 was constructed in record time, thanks to Oslotre’s innovative design and extensive use of prefabrication, which significantly reduced construction time and costs. The building is economically competitive with traditional steel and concrete structures, proving that sustainability and cost-efficiency can go hand in hand. Notably, the use of timber has led to a 53 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning the project with stringent environmental standards.
The structural integrity of the building is ensured through the use of Glulam for columns and beams, complemented by a combination of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and concrete for the decks. An internal staircase made of CLT connects the third and fourth floors, offering access to a central atrium.
Oslotre Architects, a design-build firm specializing in timber structures for over a decade, continues to push the boundaries of wood as a building material, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable alternative in modern construction.
