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Tallest building in the Nordics rising with Doka expertise Gothenburg’s skyline reaches new heights with 247-metre Karlatornet

Press Release / October 2023

Tallest building in the Nordics rising with Doka expertise
Gothenburg’s skyline reaches new heights with 247-metre Karlatornet

Gothenburg’s first skyscraper, the tallest building in the Nordic countries, is currently under construction in Sweden. Doka’s internationally renowned expertise in high-rise construction played a key role in the realisation of the Nordic giant Karlatornet. Thanks to an integrated approach that combined comprehensive formwork know-how, customised solutions and digital planning tools, the implementation of this unique project was a complete success.

In Sweden’s second largest city, Gothenburg, a new district called Karlastaden is being built in the Lindholmen port area. The centrepiece is the 247-metre high Karlatornet, or "Karla Tower", which is being built by Serneke Group AB. The building contractor brought Doka on board for the formwork of the complex structure. The company’s decades of expertise in the construction of the world’s tallest buildings played a decisive role in the decision to commission Doka, as David Salekärr, assistant construction manager of Serneke Sverige AB, explains: "For the realisation of our first skyscraper, we were specifically looking for a partner in high-rise construction who could support us with extensive know-how and strong expertise in finding solutions."

Doka has a lot of experience in the construction of high-rise buildings. In Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828-metres, was built using Doka formwork. For the construction of Karlatornet, the high-rise experts from the company’s headquarters in Amstetten, worked together with Doka Sweden, to implement a sophisticated formwork concept.

Safe working environment at lofty heights

The exposure to very high wind speeds during construction called for tailor-made Doka solutions, specially adapted to the requirements of the Karlatornet project. The self-climbing forming and working platform for high-rise SCP 400 was used to form the core. It guarantees a safe working environment whilst providing space for the site equipment. The corners of the platform were modified to allow for the installation of massive steel nodes. The high-performing steel-framed formwork Framax Xlife was used for the large-area forming of the building’s core.

The biggest challenge in terms of structural design was the building’s narrow silhouette. To master this task successfully, outriggers and belt walls were created twice throughout the building using Doka Top 100 tec. Additionally customized SL-1 trusses had to be installed to ensure fresh concrete load transfers into the columns and core while guaranteeing stability. The Doka self-climbing formwork Xclimb 60 was adapted to provide a customised platform solution to facilitate the installation and stressing of post-tensioning cables outside the belt walls at the upper outrigger, at a height of around 210-metres above ground level. For the complex task of dismantling the tower crane, the Doka team developed a tailor-made solution. By re-using the SL-1 trusses, Unikit components and a special slide-rail system, the team created a heavy-duty support structure that increased the reach of the derrick crane enough to ensure safe and efficient dismantling.

Skyscraper planned entirely in 3D

For Doka, this project is special in several respects. While construction was already underway, Doka replaced the original 2D planning of the building's core with 3D planning. One of the biggest benefits of this upgrade is that collisions can be identified more quickly, prior to execution. This allows for potential problems to be resolved more efficiently. Close collaboration between the parties involved further facilitated significant improvements, especially in terms of coordinating the construction site schedule. The Doka BIM experts used the planning software DokaCAD for Revit to create the 3D formwork solution.

Transforming the skyline

With its sleek profile, Karlatornet clearly stands out from the rest of the cityscape and gives the Gothenburg skyline a new look. The design was created by the prestigious architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merill (SOM), who added an aesthetically appealing touch, particularly with the distinctive curves from the 38th to the 58th floor. The 74 floors will be used primarily for residential purposes. In addition to the planned 611 apartments, the building will also include offices, a hotel and a skybar on the 69th floor. The superstructure topped out in July 2023 and completion is scheduled for 2024.

Project Highlights:
Project: Karlatornet
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Type of structure: Skyscraper
Height: 247-metres
Storeys: 74
Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM)
Construction company: Serneke Sverige AB
Start of construction: 2017
Overall completion: 2024
Systems in use: Platform SCP 400, Guided climbing formwork Xclimb 60, Doka UniKit, DokaDek 30, Framax Xlife panel formwork, Heavy duty system SL-1, Top 100 tec
Services in use: DokaCAD for Revit, High-rise experts

Photos:
Please include details of copyright for publication.


The appearance of Karlatornet is characterised by distinctive curves between the 38th and 58th floor
Photo: Karlatornet_1.jpg
Copyright: Doka


The 247 m high residential tower forms the heart of the Karlastaden district in Gothenburg
Photo: Karlatornet_2.jpg
Copyright: Doka


Installation of customized SL-1 trusses in combination with Doka UniKit, as support for the derrick crane
Photo: Karlatornet_3.jpg
Copyright: Doka


The self-climbing formwork and working platform SCP 400 was used to form the core
Photo: Karlatornet_4.jpg
Copyright: Doka


Successful partnership in high-rise construction: Doka and Serneke
Photo: Karlatornet_5.jpg
Copyright: Doka


Doka’s BIM experts used DokaCAD for Revit to create the digital 3D formwork solution
Photo: Karlatornet_6.jpg
Copyright: Doka

About Doka:

Doka is a world leader in providing innovative formwork, solutions and services in all areas of construction. The company is also a global supplier of well-thought-out scaffolding solutions for a varied spectrum of applications. With more than 178 sales and logistics facilities in over 60 countries, Doka has a high-performing distribution network for advice, customer service and technical support on the spot and ensures that equipment is swiftly provided – no matter how big and complex the project. Doka employs 7, 000 people worldwide and is a company of the Umdasch Group, which has stood for reliability, experience and trustworthiness for more than 150 years.

Press contact
Alexandra Weidinger
Head of External Communication
Doka GmbH
M +43 664 62 94 111
alexandra.weidinger@doka.com | www.doka.com
 
press contacts

Alexandra Weidinger
Austria
Mob.:
+43 664 62 94 111
www.doka.com
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