World’s Tallest Wooden Building Coming to Norway

If I had to choose a site for the world’s tallest wooden building, it would definitely be a picturesque, snow-covered town in Scandinavia. And Norway is coming through for me. Commissioned by the Norwegian Barents Secretariat and designed by Oslo-based Reiulf Ramstad Architects, the 17-story wooden building will tower above the town of Kirkenes. Combining environment, design, education and the arts into one neat cultural center, the new building will serve as home to Secretariat offices and will include a library, theater and creative environment for artists, researchers and students. The green building will incorporate recycled and biodegradable materials and energy-efficient offices, and the design will be influenced by traditional architecture from Russia, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Once built, it will serve as a stunning example of eco-construction and will provide a reminder of the historical importance of the Secretariat. [via The Design Blog]