Arendal , Norway
2020 - 2025
Strømsbu Sawmill
Featuring a steam saw, woodworking facility, and timber warehouse, the Strømsbu Sawmill in Arendal is a long-standing symbol of Norway’s industrial heritage. Our approach to its transformation balances preservation and renewal – honoring the site’s history while adapting to its new use as a dynamic, functional workplace.
Project details
Client
Assuransegården AS
Status
Situated on the water’s edge and framed by the rugged coastal terrain, the Strømsbu Steam Saw and Planning Mill was originally built in 1883. The building’s history is marked by varied uses – from sawmill to timber outlet, warehouse, and car repair shop. With a deeply layered past, its future development naturally builds on what already exists, focusing on preserving the building’s original architectural character.
The Strømsbu Sawmill will become a new office facility for the maritime development company, GARD, connected to their main office in Varmekroken by a pedestrian tunnel. Our approach preserves the site’s original volume whilst adapting it for a more functional use, by restoring the existing timber warehouse and sawmill, and reconstructing a previously demolished conjoining building.
Bridging the new with the old
The updated wooden structure will re-establish the former sawmill while introducing elements of accessibility, increased natural light flow, and flexible multi-purpose spaces. Striking a careful balance between preserving the old and inviting the new, the design features three building volumes on site. This includes an extension to the restored timber warehouse and an intermediate building that connects the historic warehouse with the original sawmill building.
Material reuse across scales is central to the transformation approach, from preserving the building volume to repurposing its parts for new uses.
Natural stones from the original building’s framework and foundation are being repurposed for new walls, freestanding landscape features, and an innovative drainage system. By offering shelter and nesting opportunities for insects and wildlife, the reuse of on-site materials enhances local biodiversity and promotes long-term resilience. All while, timber logs from the old sawmill form terraces and stairs, and reclaimed tiles evoke original 1800s sawmill floors with a mix of gravel, bark, and sawdust.
"While approximately 40% of the timber warehouse will be carefully restored, the remaining structure will be dismantled and repurposed throughout the site. Our transformation approach prioritizes material reuse, reducing emissions and optimizing energy efficiency both within the building and across the landscape."
Anette Bringsverd
Architect
Landscape architecture
Enhancing local ecosystems
The landscape is designed to merge with the rocky terrain and coastal environment to create a recreational setting which supports biodiversity. The integration of native vegetation will increase habitats for new insects and bird life.
In collaboration with ecologists at Rambøll, we’re creating pollinator habitats with sand beds, bee hotels, and fallen wood from local trees to provide nesting spaces and enhance ecological balance. Meanwhile, native flora, from coastal grasses to meadows, nurtures biodiversity, while host plants and nectar sources support butterfly populations, mirroring the butterfly habitat on the nearby island of Tromøya.
Original elements from the sawmill and timber warehouse are reintroduced throughout the landscape including smaller-scale wooden structures, log terraces, and natural stone pathways. While nature thrives, the users of the space also benefit, with various recreational areas designed for socializing, relaxation, and informal meetings introduced throughout the site.
Contact
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Design Director, Norway
Architect
Landscape Architect
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