In April, Gothenburg's new experience center, World of Volvo, opened its doors. Technological innovation, iconic vehicles, cultural events and culinary experiences will fill the 22,000 m² building, designed by international architectural firm Henning Larsen. World of Volvo's architecture symbolizes a world without borders, where nature is at the center.
The vision for World of Volvo has been characterised by a strong focus on sustainability and innovation since its inception. The chosen partner in the project is the architectural firm Henning Larsen, who, with their expertise in knowledge-based and innovative design, have developed Gothenburg's new landmark. Martin Stenberg Ringnér, Associate Design Director at Henning Larsen, explains that the goal was to create an integrated place for meetings, experiences and ecological anchoring.
– We wanted to create a destination that captures the essence of Volvo, while also stewarding our surroundings and society's values, says Martin Stenberg Ringnér.
World of Volvo has challenged traditional architectural norms by integrating wood as a primary building material, with a focus on sustainability and the environment. The wooden structure is both the most forward-thinking and traditional element of the project.
“Sweden has a long tradition of building in wood, but in this project we have adopted a more modern approach with rounded, organic shapes that have resulted in an advanced construction. It has been a technical challenge and the project has involved contributions from leading engineers and expertise from around the world,” says Martin Stenberg Ringnér.
Understanding Volvo's history and how the company has grown up in the Swedish public housing community has been important in the process of designing World of Volvo – and the architecture is framed by the concept of the Right of Access, where Swedish culture and the opportunity to move freely in nature have been a major source of inspiration.
– The right of public access frames important values that we wanted to bring into World of Volvo, such as everyone's equal value, safety and consideration for each other and nature, says Magnus Wrahme, CEO of World of Volvo.
The project not only represents a new era for Volvo's presence in Gothenburg, but also a milestone in Swedish design and architecture.
– We are happy to finally be able to show the result to the public. A building is nothing without people and activities. We want World of Volvo to be a central place for meetings and experiences – for both local and international visitors, concludes Magnus Wrahme.
