A landmark where the inside matters

You are now standing on Saraplatsen in front of the main entrance to Sara Kulturhus.

Many believe that Sara Kulturhus is perhaps the most important symbol of the new Skellefteå. The Skellefteå that decided to change direction and take control of its own future.  At 80 meters tall, it’s one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings and quickly became Skellefteå’s most talked-about landmark. But it’s not only the building’s height or construction materials that have changed the image of Skellefteå. It’s what the building houses. And what it set in motion when it was completed.

Here, performing arts, a library, a hotel, and everyday life coexist under one roof. With the new large stage, the door was also opened to something new. Suddenly, Skellefteå became a destination where the biggest artists sought out the experience of performing on northern Sweden’s most coveted stages. In doing so, Sara Kulturhus helped create a new image of Skellefteå, both for the people who live here and for the outside world.

The fact that the building is constructed of wood is, of course, an important part of the story in a city with such strong traditions of timber construction as Skellefteå. The structure consists of glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT), where the properties of the wood are utilized to create both stability and a low environmental impact. Through smart technical solutions, energy-efficient operation, and materials that sequester carbon dioxide, the building itself becomes part of the green transition.

At the same time, the urban landscape surrounding the building has been reshaped. At the intersection of Guldtorget and the city’s central thoroughfares, commerce, culture, and experiences are woven together into a cohesive flow, with Sara Kulturhus proudly overlooking the development it has helped bring to life.

Sara Kulturhus is one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings, standing 20 stories high and rising approximately 80 meters.

The cultural center features a total of six stages, two galleries, a library, and a foyer with an open and inviting layout. The cultural center is home to both the Västerbotten Theater, Skellefteå Art Hall, the City Library, and the Anna Nordlander Museum (MAN).

The building also houses a hotel with a spa and three restaurants.

The name is inspired by Sara Lidman, one of Sweden’s foremost authors.

On the Skellefteå växer website, you can read more about Sara Kulturhus