Location: Bjergsted, Norway.

Architect: Helen & Hard with SAAHA.

Financial Park SR-Bank is strengthening its unique position in Rogaland through its new location in a central financial park and cultural arena called “Finansparken.” The building is an example of the future workplace and one of Europe’s largest office buildings in timber. The main structure of the 13,500m2 over ground is made of timber up to 7 floors, which challenges the notion of a strong robust bank while breaking ground for the use of structural timber. The site lies within an area of contrasting urban fabric, and the building embraces this transitional context and uses this tension as a driver for site-specific design, differing in character and scale to negotiate between the surrounding situations. The building is made of sustainable materials, and the client was clear in their wish to use timber for the main structure due to its positive effects on the users, the experiential and health bringing qualities of the future workspaces, and its innate sustainable aspects providing ground for a BREEAM nor Excellent certification. The building’s lifecycle is prolonged by the buildings’ ability to house flexible spaces made by multiplying and subdividing the 5,4m structural grid. A mock-up of a small segment of the building was built during the design process, giving the future users the opportunity to experience their future workspace first hand in a 1:1 scale. The project is currently under construction.

Photo credit: Drone image: 3D4Drones.