Stockholm Wood City Getting Closer to Opening

What is the world’s first city projected to be made entirely out of wood is under construction in Sweden.

It’s been in the works for years but now Stockholm Wood City, a new urban city being built in the district of Sickla in Stockholm, is getting ever closer to becoming a reality.

Wallpaper magazine reports that the first components of the massive project are slated to be completed next year, eventually encompassing some 25 blocks and more than 30 buildings. It will accommodate 7,000 office workers and 2,000 residents in an area as large as the entire historic city center of Stockholm.

In an interview with Marianne Perslow, who heads up communications for the project, Wallpaper got more details on the status of things. “Construction started in 2024 and the first buildings are currently being completed,” she said, adding that the first residential units are now listed for sale. “It is the world’s largest urban development project built in wood and will become a mixed-use community that integrates office spaces, residential housing and retail areas, all while prioritizing sustainability and biophilic design principles.

“Using wood in construction can reduce carbon emissions by up to 60 percent compared to traditional methods, as wood is lighter and quicker to work with than concrete. Research from Aalto University and the Finnish Environment Institute in 2020 also highlights that wood stores carbon rather than emitting it, since trees absorb CO2 as they grow. Additionally, if a wooden building is no longer needed, it can be more easily disassembled than concrete, and the wood can be reused or recycled, further extending its lifecycle.”

Wallpaper asked Perslow what excited her most about this project. “We are very proud that we had the courage to undertake this project on such a large scale, truly making a real difference. We have ambitious sustainability goals, and to achieve them, bold steps must be taken; it’s not enough to make marginal changes. With this, we also hope to be a role model and inspire others in the industry to follow the same path.”

Image: Atrium Ljungberg

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