World's Tallest Wooden Building

The Norwegian Barents Secretariat  building will mirror the diverse interchange that is taking place between the two nations and symbolize innovation and open possibility. Wood and timber play an important role in the culture and traditions of both nations. Therefore the concept was to create a signal edifice out of wood. The result will be the tallest wooden building in the world; a multi-functional, architecturally innovative structure that constitutes a pilot project regarding the use of wood in the buildings of tomorrow.

The focus is on creating a building for The High North Region with its initiators futuristic views of the roles of the Arctic with focus on settlement patterns in the High North as a result of centralization, recent changes in the border relations and management of resources. The house will be a contributions to a further development and co-existence in the Arctic border town of Kikene
Being a centre in the Barents cooperation and a bridgehead in Norwegian High North policies, the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes has long played an important role in Norwegian foreign policy. It is in Kirkenes that Norway meets Russia. Here geopolitics have for centuries been a vital factor in shaping society and the relations across borders.

The Norwegian Barents Secretariat in a press release highlights the timing for the project. Now is the time for the construction of a physical symbol of this important role. A signature building which displays the importance of continued positive developments in the High North.

"The new Barents House must be of such significance that people would want to go there from afar to experience the house. It must be an attraction and a landmark which is beyond any other similar building. As important is the ambition of making the building a centre for knowledge development, especially about the High North and Norwegian-Russian relations, and a place for the gathering and assembly of international High North interests", said Secretary General Rune Rafaelsen at the Norwegian Barents Secretariat.

It is the Oslo-based architect firm Reiulf Ramstad Architects which is now working on the plan to build the world’s highest building ever constructed in wood. It will become a monument of 16-17 floors, all built in natural materials with innovative and environmental solutions in all parts of the building.

"The idea is to construct a building which will be CO2-neutral, where the concept of the cycles of nature will be preserved. The innovative solutions on modern wooden constructions will stand as a token of the level of competence in the region", says architect Reiulf Ramstad.

Rafaelsen believes the Barents House project could attract resources and a wide range of competence of various expertises from the three northernmost counties of Norway. The project would be situated in downtown Kirkenes, on the historical ground of a multiethnic area of Kirkenes. It is planned to contribute to the further development of cooperation between Russians, Finns, Swedes, Saamis and Norwegians.

"The new Barents House will function as a lighthouse for the development of the Barents Region and the regional border cooperation in the North", says Rafaelsen.

The building will include a number of facilities, among them a library, a theatre and a creative environment for artists, researchers, students and other relevant institutions. The Norwegian Barents Secretariat, the International Barents Secretariat and the Barents Institute will of course also have their offices in the building.

Location: Kirkenes, Norway
Program: A center for cultural and innovative interchange between Russia and Norway.
Client: The Norwegian Barents secretariat
Size:10 000 m2
Commission type: Invited ideas competition 2009 1st prize
Status: Ideas project completed. Sketch project in progress
Year: 2009