Degree of Freedom in collaboration with the architect Snøhetta, and the contractor Betonmast has designed an all-timber construction for a new concept of climbing centre in Skien. High under the Roof Climbing Centre (HUT) differs from traditional climbing centres for sports climbing, embracing a wider target group. It is a meeting place where children, young people and adults can participate in a group activity. The main architectural feature are the solid timber frames used to enclose the space, with the frame geometry changing at each grid.
The building consists of a single-storey climbing hall, with a maximum clear height of 14.6m, and a three-storey annex. The architectural concept is based on a variable series of 12.5m wide CLT timber portals forming the signature element of this building, the climbing hall. All structural members above ground level are timber, principally cross-laminated timber (CLT). CLT is also used both for the climbing hall façades and for the load bearing walls of the three-storey annex building. Glulam timbers are used locally, as framing elements in the glazed façades at either end of the climbing hall, and as part of the CLT rib slabs used where longer span roof and floor slabs are needed. All timber elements have been fabricated using a LOD400 BIM model fully coordinated with all other disciplines during the design process.
Structural engineering during prelimiary and detailed design. Technical assistance during construction.
