Sweden’s Umeå Architecture Academy Punctuated With Pixelated Windows

Last year <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-canary-islands-concert-hall-has-a-semi-intelligent-shading-facade/">Henning Larsen Architects</a> completed <a href="http://www.umu.se/english" target="_blank">Umeå University's</a> new Architecture Academy in Sweden, which is part of a larger development of the entire arts campus. The building's design focuses upon daylighting and sustainability -- rather than covering the entire building in glass, the architects skinned it in a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/modern-green-us-canada-border-crossing-by-julie-snow-architects/" target="_blank">locally sourced wood envelope</a> punctuated with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/jean-nouvels-stunning-museum-facade-dilates-to-let-in-daylight/" target="_blank">aperture-like windows</a>. An integrated ventilation, heating and lighting system allows the building to reduce its energy use by 50%.

The new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/penn-state-school-of-architecture-leed-gold/">architecture school</a> is part of a much larger <a href="http://inhabitat.com/lot-eks-shipping-container-art-school-opens-in-south-korea/">arts campus</a> that will be completed in 2014 and will include the Institute of Design, Academy of Fine Arts, and Public Art Museum.

Located in downtown Umeå on a former industrial site next to the river promenade, the architecture academy is inspired by the river, the birch trees, and the water reflections from the nearby river.

The lamella facade is built from locally sourced larch wood and features hundreds of square windows that let in daylight.

Energy modeling and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/daylighting">daylight</a> simulations helped configure the pixelated window facade.

Overall energy efficiency and an integrated HVAC system helps minimize energy usage by 50%.

Fresh air enters the building under the floor plane and travels up through the building via columns and beams, and air is circulated throughout the building inside perforated pipes.

Local birch is used on the interior walls and has wonderful acoustic properties.

The project's Swedish design influence is clearly apparent in its clean lines and mix of industrial sensibilities with warm wood.

The academy is developed at the Umeå riverside promenade on a previous industrial plot.

The Architecture Academy was completed in 2010. The Academy of Fine Arts and public Art Museum are expected to be inaugurated in 2014.