NOVO

01/31

Olsson Lyckefors has designed the new battery factory adjacent to Volvo Cars’ manufacturing plant in Torslanda, Gothenburg.

Battery production is a technically, economically, and socially challenging enterprise. The challenge lies in the enormous scale and the high demands on efficient material flows, precision, and cleanliness. Our focus has been not only to address these challenges related to the manufacturing process, but also to fulfill our client’s vision of a factory for the people who make the batteries.

The vast scale – the building has a footprint of about 75,000 sqm (with a total gross floor area of approximately 165,000 sqm) – means that the architecture must resolve issues normally associated with urban design, such as daylight and wayfinding.

While the production process itself functions best in a dark, controlled, and predictable environment, people need light and landmarks. Our response to this task has been to introduce characterful landmarks in the form of staircases, windows, and color-coded building elements.

In addition to making the factory as a physical environment both legible and relatable, we collaborated with NOVO’s design team to develop the design and chose to construct parts of the building from wood for sustainability and environmental benefits. Natural materials have been introduced throughout, particularly in the office, laboratory, and representation areas, which are all built with exposed timber structures. Great emphasis has also been placed on introducing daylight at strategic points in the building.

The construction of the building’s frame and envelope is currently underway.

Typology	Commercial
Size	165 000 sqm
Year	2021
Status	In Progress
Participants	BRA Bygg

Client	Novo Energy Production AB
Team	Johan Olsson, Andreas Lyckefors, Viktor Stansvik, Arvid Malm, Karin Pallarp Nilsson, Christian Deis, David Svahn, Felicia Davidsson, Anna Bender, Elias Lindh, Elin Lidén, Gustav Carlson, Johan Andersson, Tess Ekman, Ainhoa Etxeberria, Emelie Johansson, Per Kaatman, Hugo Klarén, Marit Johansen, Joel Matsson
Location	Gothenburg, Sweden
Photography	Johan Dehlin, CAB