World of Volvo
CUSTOMER
WIEHAG
PROJECT
CHALLENGES
World of Volvo: Precision Timber Engineering by WIEHAG, Designed with bocad
In the heart of Gothenburg’s city center, the World of Volvo rises as the new experience center of the Swedish automobile manufacturer. This unique building blends futuristic design with traditional craftsmanship, creating a remarkable architectural masterpiece designed by the renowned Swedish architectural firm Henning Larsen. The circular, multi-story hybrid structure of glass and timber symbolizes nature-friendliness and human connection, inviting visitors to engage in experiences both indoors and outdoors. With its expertise in engineered timber construction, WIEHAG has played a key role in transforming the World of Volvo into a masterpiece of timber engineering.
The building spans 110 meters in diameter and features multiple intermediate levels. The beams and columns of the wooden structure are made from glulam (glued laminated timber). This material consists of multiple precision-cut wooden layers bonded together using a specialized structural adhesive. Additionally, WIEHAG precisely calculated the steel connections between the timber components. Given the complex architecture of this timber structure, an exceptionally high level of precision was required. For the detailed 3D design and execution planning of the timber and steel components, including machine control and BIM data exchange, WIEHAG relies on the bocad construction software. The computer-controlled production at WIEHAG ensured that the impressive, curved components could be cut and prefabricated with absolute accuracy.
Challenges in the World of Volvo Project:
- Minimizing visible steel connections (as required by the architect)
- Ordering materials before the completion of the design model
- Creating the model based on the assembly sequence of construction phases
- Ordering the correct material quantities, ensuring identical position numbers per construction phase/subsystems
- Managing extensive data volumes due to a high number of connection elements
The World of Volvo stands as a symbol for the future of sustainable construction, paying tribute to the Scandinavian landscape and its people.
ADVANTAGES
Helpful Features / Modules / Interfaces of bocad for Implementation:
IFC export for coordinating the model within BIM with other trades/architects (Sweden)
Seamless integration of model changes into plans (for manufacturing and assembly)
Creation of ETZ (element assembly drawings) including fasteners and attachments as grouped construction drawings
Drawings: Overview plan of the works planning (approval planning) of one area of the building.
The colour assignment are :
Red = concrete/reinforced concrete (in timber construction only as a reference for connections)
Brown = glued beams
Blue = steel parts (the diagonal bars are wind bracing/stiffening braces)
Yellow = timber panels (stairs made of CLT panels, reinforcement panels at beam openings presumably BFU panels/beech)
Image credits: WIEHAG, Photographer James Silverman