Pirhuset: Redefining design for a vibrant transformation in Stockholm

Pirhuset in Stockholm, Sweden, is a 55,000 square metre, 100-metre-tall commercial office space, divided between a 24- and 10-storey building over a shared 2-storey basement. Set on a new quay, Pirhuset will become a landmark for cruise ship arrivals into Stockholm when completed in 2028. As one of the city’s largest urban redevelopment projects, it exemplifies the global trend of transforming post-industrial sites into vibrant, sustainable city districts.

In collaboration with our long-term partner, Bonnier Fastigheter, we are leading the design process with a strong focus on decarbonisation, delivering structural and geotechnical engineering services to meet global sustainability standards.

Ramboll’s experts have worked to significantly reduce Pirhuset’s carbon footprint, focused on achieving a Net ZeroCO2 rating while meeting Stockholm’s strict sustainability standards and aligning with EU Taxonomy requirements. Through client collaboration and detailed analysis, Ramboll proposed a low-carbon timber hybrid structure for the 10-storey building and a material efficient structural frame for the high-rise.

Beyond the structure, Pirhuset will function as a sound buffer for the new development to the south, reducing noise from large ships, and will feature high energy efficiency, solar panels, green terraces, and a green roof with a natural coastal biotope.

To push the boundaries of low-carbon high-rise construction, Ramboll initiated a wind tunnel test for the project. Due to the building’s unique shape and the varying terrain in the surroundings, the test accounted for wind directionality, offering a more accurate model of wind loading. This allowed for optimisation of the stability system, reducing concrete use and the number of rock anchors.

This project is part of an ambitious long-term effort to transform Stockholm’s south harbour into the world's first climate-positive city district – setting a precedent for future vibrant and inclusive urban developments where both people and nature flourish.