RISE Bioeconomy Arena

RISE Pilot Hall for Biorefinery - a Centre for the Future of Bioeconomy In the heart of Örnsköldsvik, RISE’s new pilot hall for biorefinery stands as a wooden geometric gem of innovation and sustainable design. The building supports world-leading research into bio-based alternatives to fossil fuels, a transition towards renewable resources and circular economy models, key areas to achieve global climate goals while advancing Sweden’s position at the forefront of the green transition. The architecture reflects the mission: a precise, low-climate-impact structure built almost entirely in wood. From its engineered timber frame to its finely crafted wooden façade, the building embodies a future where renewable resources and circular economy models shape both industry and design. Designed as a collaborative environment for scientists, engineers, and industrial partners, the facility enables testing and development of new bio-based products. Inside, the layout fosters flexibility and efficiency while maximizing comfort and daylight to create a productive, inspiring workplace for RISE’s experts and visiting researchers. At the heart of the design is a striking geometric grid. This structure is not only functional but expressive, casting a dynamic pattern of light and shadow across the façade and interiors. The interplay between structure and daylight gives the building its unique character: warm, tactile, and forward-looking. The project meets high sustainability goals by minimizing material use, reducing embodied carbon, and showcasing the versatility of timber. The construction system was carefully optimized to ensure strength, durability, and precision, an architectural solution that is both elegant and resource-efficient. RISE Pilot Hall for Biorefinery is more than a factory and a test bed, it is a physical manifestation of the future it helps shape. Through design that unites science and sustainability, the building is a symbol of transformation where architecture accelerates innovation and points the way toward a fossil-free society.