Henning Larsen has completed an experience centre for the acclaimed Swedish brands, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group in a Swedish landscape with a striking "forest-like canopy".

The project, named World of Volvo, is situated in the heart of Gothenburg’s event district in Sweden. 

The 4,500-square-metre centre offers ample, versatile spaces to host cultural events, talks, and conferences, accommodating up to 1,100 attendees. 

World of Volvo has been opened to the public on Sunday 14th April, coinciding with Volvo’s annual birthday celebrations. 

Henning Larsen takes cues from Scandinavian values representing freedom of movement, access to nature and openness and inclusion to design the centre. 

The building is a timber structure made of glulam and cross-laminated timber. It forms three striking tree-trunk-like columns, fanning out to carry the entire load of the roof - enveloping visitors in a welcoming forest-like canopy.

The exhibition centre offers a comprehensive journey through Volvo's history, present innovations, and future visions, highlighted by iconic vehicles, immersive stories, and interactive displays, all centered around Volvo's human-centric and forward-looking ethos.

Through its expansive rounded structure the building invites visitors to create their own journeys both indoors and outdoors, regardless of whether they hold tickets to the exhibition inside. 

The building is surrounded by a thriving landscape that extends onto an accessible roof, and embraces the regional landscape. Thanks to its form, materiality, and culture, the building is aimed to bring a native piece of Swedish nature to the middle of Gothenburg. 

"As a brand Volvo is rooted in a Swedish pride for producing and manufacturing quality for everyone," said Martin Stenberg Ringnér, Associate Design Director, Henning Larsen.

"This is spotlighted and celebrated at World of Volvo, and we are so proud to see the building come to life and welcome its first visitors on the same day as Volvo’s birthday celebrations," Stenberg Ringnér added.

At both dining venues, Ceno Brasserie, which welcomes all visitors, and Ceno On Top, an exclusive space for conference guests and larger parties, the celebrated restaurateur Götaplatsgruppen has created a culinary experience that mirrors Volvo's dedication to excellence. 

The spotlight shines on locally sourced and seasonal produce, with award-winning signature chef, Stefan Karlsson, bringing the freshest flavors of the region.

Site plan

Floor plan

Floor plan

Henning Larsen unveiled design for a circular timber office building prioritizing "biogenic materials and low-carbon design" in Prévessin-Moëns, France. 

The office also won a competition to redesign Prague Central Station with a spacious open-roof timber canopy in Prague, Czech Republic.

Project facts

Project name: World of Volvo 

Client: World of Volvo (Volvo Cars and Volvo Group)

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden 

Typology: Experience Center

Concept: 2018

Construction start: 2021

Completion: 2023

Inauguration: 2024

Size: 22,500 m2 

Certifications: LEED Gold and WELL Gold

Main contractor: BRA Bygg

Architect: Henning Larsen 

Landscape: Henning Larsen

Wood Structure: Engineering and production by Wiehag GmbH 

Wood structure: interior claddings, and facade by Lindner Scandinavia AB

Structural engineering: Optima Engineering AB and BRA Teknik

Landscape contractor: BRA Mark

All images © Rasmus Hjortshoj.

All drawings © Henning Larsen.

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exhibition centre glued laminated timber glulam Henning Larsen mass timber timber Volvo