A unified campus
On behalf of Akademiska Hus, Skanska has constructed Natrium, a building that consolidates much of the University of Gothenburg’s Faculty of Science activities into one location.
This initiative has created a unified campus, strengthening the connections between the Faculty of Science and the medical education and research at Sahlgrenska Academy. The project was a collaborative effort involving Akademiska Hus as the client and the University of Gothenburg as the end user.
Two seven-story buildings
Skanska took on the role of turnkey contractor in 2017.Construction began in the fall of 2018, marking the start of the densification of the southern part of Medicinareberget.
The 32,000-square- meter lab and research facility consists of two seven-story buildings connected by an atrium.
The facade is inspired by the surrounding buildings features brick, bronze-colored panels and glass.
100.000 cubic meters of rock removed
At the project’s outset, the site was largely composed of rock. In total, 100,000 cubic meters of rock were blasted away to make room for the building. To minimize disruption to nearby businesses, blasting was limited to two times a week. We maintained close communication with Akademiska Hus and the University of Gothenburg to find the best solutions together.
Complex premises and advanced lab environments
The building contains many complex facilities that presented technical challenges. It includes advanced lab environments such as a phytotron, herbarium and microscopy department, as well as general labs that can be converted and adapted as needed.
Natrium also features lecture halls, offices and study areas. The facilities are designed to meet current requirements and to be flexible for future needs.
In addition to the new construction, we renovated an existing 1950s building, which now serves as a link between the old and the new. This building includes storage for low-temperature freezers, a lunch restaurant and a new main entrance for Natrium.
Solar panels and energy-efficient heating
Natrium is certified to Miljöbyggnad Gold level. The building includes solar panels on the roof, demand-controlled ventilation and lighting, and energy-efficient heating. Materials were sourced locally whenever possible. During the unloading phase, we used fossil-free fuel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil,) for all transportation.
Inspiring young people
Throughout the project, we hosted numerous trainees who had the opportunity to learn and experience the construction industry firsthand. Many of these trainees have since found employment with various project partners.
To inspire young people in their educational choices, we invited ninth graders from two schools to visit the project. Over the course of a day, 160 students visited different stations to learn about various professions within the construction industry, as well as the roles of the developer, our consultants and our future tenant.
Teaching on the premises since August 2023
In June 2023, we completed the final inspection of the project, and on August 28, 2023, teaching began in the new facilities.
Today, around 1,000 students and up to 600 staff from the Departments of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Marine Sciences, Earth Sciences, Conservation and the Faculty Office of Natural Sciences can gather in one place.
Natrium brings students, researchers and staff together, and the modern facilities encourage spontaneous meetings and interaction.
