naturum Kosterhavet | White Arkitekter

Naturums, Swedish Visitor Centres, are information and exhibition locales in national parks, nature reserves, biosphere districts and at world heritage sites in Sweden. The construction of Naturums represents one of the largest architectural ventures undertaken by the Swedish state in modern times. Naturum Kosterhavet stands on the island of Sydkoster, Sweden’s most westerly outpost. The building’s irregular shape is determined by the site’s available permitted construction area. The long sides consist of repeated gables, six facing the sea and five towards land. These are linked by diagonal roof-trees which together create the roof’s zigzag pattern. Instead of taking the form of a traditional row of boathouses the Naturum is a unified structure, differing in this respect from its neighbours. It resembles them but is nevertheless distinct. The roof’s complex three-dimensional puzzle can be inferred from the exterior but is at its clearest inside the building. The Naturum contains exhibition spaces, lecture hall and offices for the park’s administrative staff. There is also a library, a hands-on aquarium and a water laboratory where visitors can make their own discoveries. The building stands just by the water’s edge on filled and reclaimed ground, pile-driven to solid rock so as not to affect the existing quayside construction. The frame of the building consists of columns and main beams of laminated wood. The secondary beams are of Kerto with varying c/c separations depending on the span of the roof construction wedges. The interior of the building has walls and ceiling clad in finely sawn, white-glazed and dressed spruce boarding. The floor consists of soap-scrubbed pinewood planks. The same spruce boarding as inside the building covers the exterior but treated here with a traditional lime-wash – the so-called Falu red. Additionally, to counter the tough climatic conditions and also provide a deeper nuance the surface has been then treated with wood tar. The outer roofing consists of fire and water resistant wooden panelling, painted in the same way as the façade. The Naturum has been designed for minimal environmental impact and meets high demands relating to energy consumption, indoor environment and healthy construction materials. The building has been tested and classified in accordance with the Swedish Environmental Assessment system ‘Miljöbyggnad’ and awarded the level Gold. The building has low energy requirements (calculated at 40 kWh/m2). It uses geothermal heating and consumes exclusively renewable electricity. The intake ventilation supply adjusts to ensure annual minimal energy consumption. The water supply derives from an osmosis unit sited on the island. The Naturum has a low carbon footprint, being supplied with renewable energy and most of the construction being in wood. All materials have been examined and documented free from environmentally hazardous elements. All the wood comes from certified forestry. To create an indoor climate suited to the Naturum’s various requirements, sun-screening and the positioning and sizes of windows have been carefully balanced to ensure satisfactory interior temperatures, daylight supply and views. The building’s site is exposed to weather and wind, and care has therefore been taken to ensure a damp-resistant construction. The roof is insulated with damp-proof cellular glass. Damp measurements and pressure tests have been conducted throughout construction.