ArkDes Fellowship 2020: Camilla Schlyter

Timber architecture and its place in a sustainable society.

Camilla Schlyter is an architect and industrial PhD candidate at RISE. Her ArkDes Fellowship explored timber construction and sought to make knowledge of traditional craftsmanship and building methods more accessible—with the goal of contributing to sustainable innovation in the timber architecture of the future.

Seven case studies were analysed, four of which came from the ArkDes collection. Spanning different historical periods and regions of Sweden, the examples demonstrated how craft-based, mechanical, and industrial timber construction methods have been used and developed over time. Together with architecture students from KTH, three structural types were examined in detail: solid timber construction, composite systems, and arch structures. The cases ranged from mobile single-family houses to the vaulted roof of Malmö’s train halls.

Several workshops were held with invited craftspeople and representatives from the timber industry. One practical exercise involved students laying traditional wooden shingles with a company specialising in church roofs. Another workshop was carried out in collaboration with a glulam manufacturer.

The seven examples were documented through detailed drawings and digital models, which were used to deepen understanding of various construction techniques. This method also enabled the evaluation of structural solutions in relation to their physical performance, architectural qualities, and circularity. The work included discussions on disassembly, reuse, material efficiency, and the importance of selecting appropriate timber for specific parts of a building.