Our thinking
Study Trip to Gothenburg
Earlier this year, the Engenuiti team visited Gothenburg, Sweden, to study local timber structures. Gothenburg, located on Sweden’s west coast, was founded by the Dutch in the 17th century—a heritage still visible in the city’s distinctive architecture. Though now a modern hub for maritime trade and industry, the city retains its historic charm. As we explored, we wandered through quiet pockets of traditional buildings, strolled past winding, picturesque canals, and relaxed in beautifully maintained green parks.
A city under intense redevelopment, there was much engineering to gawk at—and gawk we did! Our first stop was the Södra Värö CLT factory, which was fascinating despite the factory not operating during our visit. This did not dampen our spirits, as the rest of the day saw us visit Kvibergs Park Ice & Sports Hall.
The building showcases the broad applications of timber, from external cladding to the primary structure. Timber, glass, and ice combine to give the building a light and a natural feel. Large glulam arches form the building’s curving, sweeping shape and enable the open-plan expanse over the sports halls and ice rink. The arches are an impressive 80m in span and 12m at the height of their apex. The team also enjoyed watching some of the locals demonstrate the ice rink in action; no doubt they appreciate the investment and addition of the facility to their community.
We also visited Lindholmen Technical College, with its glulam trusses and interlinked walkways across a cavernous atrium.
We were impressed by how the city serves as a showcase for contemporary civil engineering ambition. From the scale and complexity of the Västlänken rail project, an 8km twin-track tunnel currently being built with new underground stations beneath the dense, historic city, to the long-term transformation of Norra Älvstranden on the Göta älv river into a mixed-use, waterfront innovation district, the city demonstrates how infrastructure can shape urban futures. These projects reflect not just technical achievement but a clear alignment between engineering, urban planning, and sustainability goals.
Before our journey back to London, we had just enough time to visit the elegant World of Volvo building, which proudly shows off its glulam spine supporting a disc-shaped roof. Perhaps other visitors wondered why our group stood staring at the roof rather than the Volvo exhibit—but the glulam structure was truly breathtaking and deserved admiration. Like the Kvibergs Park Ice & Sports Hall, the combination of mass timber and curtain wall façade created an enjoyable, open space that connects seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Glulam beams and columns rise in the form of giant mushrooms or trees—an entirely fitting motif for a mass-timber structure. Beneath, a large, tiered seating area provided a relaxing spot where the Engenuiti team was able to debrief and reflect on a weekend well spent.
No study trip abroad isn’t complete without tasting the local culinary delights! Our first meal together was lunch at the the Södra Värö staff canteen. It was a hard choice between the Katsu curry or the Swedish traditional Vegan Wallenbergare. Later that evening, we enjoyed a three-course meal, a fine dining feast for your eyes at Restaurang Familjen. And of course, no trip to Sweden would be complete without trying Swedish meatballs. We couldn’t possibly leave the country with IKEA being our only meatball experience!
