ETAT Arkitekter AB, Pilgrimage Centre, Røldal, Norway.

Building in solid wood – material presence and sustainability
Etat arkitekter has developed several projects and competition entries to be built in solid wood. It is a sustainable construction method and a wooden exterior develop a distinct presence through ageing and weathering. In order to enhance the character and potentials of wooden construction each project explores different modes of construction.
The Pilgrimage centre in Norway is a proposal for a new building adjacent to the historic stave church in Røldal. It would be constructed in solid wood, in a manner that reflect and juxtapose the traditional stave church building technique.
The pilgrimage centre would complement the religious functions of the stave church and provide services for pilgrims and other visitors, containing a chapel, restaurant, auditorium, exhibition space and offices for the parish.
In the proposal for a new clubhouse and changing rooms for Coniston cricket club in Cumbria, UK, the landscape is key. Coniston is located in The Lake district and the site is marked by sweeping views in a stunning setting. The building’s interaction with the landscape forms the basis for the design and the building plan with angled walls, providing a full view. The project is community-led, aiming at engaging the local village and promoting the idea of a community built and owned resource. The building would be constructed in solid wood, with a load-bearing inner core and exterior wooden uprights in the corners.
The Housing proposal located by the main square in Katrineholm, Sweden, would be constructed with a load-bearing exposed outer facade of solid wood and a secondary, wood-clad inner facade. The building contains apartments on three stories and a restaurant on the ground floor. Continuous balconies offer varied views since most apartments have access to balconies in two or three directions. The outer load-bearing wooden structure function as a screen, enabling balconies to face the square and yet remain private and non-intrusive.
Though a distinguishable contemporary building, it is referring to the surrounding historic wooden buildings, as the adjacent freight- and storage buildings dating from the early 1900´s.