Since November 2023, students have been able to study in an ideal learning environment: after almost three years, the new Natrium Science Building at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden was inaugurated. From now on, large parts of the Faculty of Science will be located here. This includes two buildings with research laboratories and teaching facilities for students and staff in all areas from chemistry to molecular biology.

Because the new faculty will house several different activities, high demands were placed on the building materials and construction systems. As the general contractor for the project, Skanska therefore chose interior walls from Xella - consisting of blocks and upright wall elements made of Ytong autoclaved aerated concrete and wall products made of Silka calcium-silicate blocks.

Quick installation of Xella elements with expert support

Although the construction of the building has been underway since 2020, the interior work did not begin until the end of 2021. Lucas Svensson, construction manager at Skanska, explains: "The Natrium is a building that contains several rooms with different functions. It is an installation-tight building, which places high demands on the design and choice of materials. That's why we chose Xella's solutions. The wall elements from Xella were quick to assemble, easy to work with and resistant to water and splashes. The construction time was also no problem: "The main advantage is that the construction time is very short compared to conventional plaster walls. It's quick and easy, which we really appreciate," continues Svensson.

Prior to installation and assembly, Xella supported the project with its know-how and services: "We sent our technical sales people to train the installer for two weeks in the use of our Xella equipment and the installation of the material," says Ben Birouti, Head of Country Operations at Xella Sweden. For example, they helped with the steps for assembling the wall elements, showed how to drive the Ytong element wagon or how to preform the doors and lintels with the wall elements.

Flexible to use for scientific purposes

The building now houses students and staff from the departments of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Marine Sciences, Earth Sciences, Nature Conservation, and the Faculty Office. They are all housed in two buildings and seven floors, designed to be flexible and adaptable to future needs.

The advantage of Ytong's upright wall elements is that they could be installed very quickly and with little room for error, compared to wooden studs and traditional plaster walls. Because these modern interior walls can be used anywhere in the building, they allow for flexibility and needs-based interior design. Fredrik Johansson, CEO of Xella Scandinavia, explains: "With a building system made of Ytong AAC, you get a sustainable and durable material at a competitive price. AAC does not burn or rot, which is particularly important in the construction of research laboratories and university facilities.

Even if AAC is exposed to extreme amounts of water, it will regain its original properties when it dries. Johansson continues: "Skanska has also included the calcium-silicate wall product Silka, which is not only a sustainable building material, but also ideal for spaces that require high strength and sound insulation. We are delighted that Skanska has chosen a new system from us, and we hope that all the students and staff will be happy with the new space."