At the former industrial site of Scharinsområdet, a new district for knowledge and art is taking shape. Here, experimental architecture, reuse and international collaboration meet—and at the heart of it all, two striking wooden structures are emerging: the Crystal Sauna and an observation tower. Norra Timber plays a key role in both projects, providing timber sourced from the forests of northern Sweden.
“These projects truly demonstrate what wood can be in contemporary architecture—not just as a material, but as a carrier of stories, place and identity,” says Erik Högbom, Sales Director for Building Products at Norra Timber.
A Sauna as an Architectural Experience
The Crystal Sauna is one of the most distinctive features of the area. Designed by the artist duo Bigert & Bergström—known for internationally acclaimed works such as Solar Egg—it brings together art, technology and tradition in a unique way. The Crystal Sauna is the world’s first battery-powered sauna.
With its sculptural form, inspired by an asymmetrical rock crystal, the sauna reinterprets the Nordic sauna tradition in a contemporary architectural context. Here, wood is not only a structural element, but also a sensory one—where scent, texture and light interplay with form and function to create a holistic experience.
Norra Timber has supplied the timber for the surrounding deck, built using northern Swedish heartwood pine with at least 99 percent heartwood. The result is a natural solution with high durability and no chemical treatment, that is generating strong interest among architects.
The heartwood’s natural resistance comes from the tree’s own extractives—primarily resin—which protect the wood against moisture, weather and pests. This ensures exceptional durability without the need for chemical treatment, offering clear advantages from both an environmental and sustainability perspective.
Thanks to Norra Timber’s advanced X-ray technology, each log and board is scanned, allowing the sawmills to sort products with a minimum of 99 percent heartwood. This guarantees consistent quality and high performance—ideal for architectural applications where aesthetics, functionality and climate impact all matter.
“Heartwood pine ages beautifully, developing an elegant silver-grey tone over time. Sun, rain and wind create a natural, living patina that gives the deck a soft, authentic expression. This natural greying is part of the material’s character and highly valued for its timeless Nordic appearance.”