Skarpåkersskolan

Forestry and modern architecture in the shadows of Skuleberget

Kramfors breathes the dramatic presence of Skuleberget. Its striking silhouette, the rich colors of the landscape, the surrounding pine forests, and the mysterious caves have inspired myths and stories for centuries. The town carries a deep connection to the sawmill industry. It takes its name from Christopher Kramm, who founded the area’s first sawmill in the 1700s. Wood craftsmanship remains a source of pride for Kramfors’ 6,000 residents. Since 2007, the town has entered a new era of construction, its first major development since the mid-20th century. Today, modern architecture stands side by side with its industrial heritage, shaping a new chapter in Kramfors’ story.

Creative collaboration with enthusiastic Krambo

In 2011, the municipal housing company Krambo Bostads AB gave us the task of designing a new school for years K-3 in the area of Skarpåkern, with twice the capacity of the outdated primary school from 1972. The local council wanted to create an attractive school and were inspired by our vision of flexibility and design inspired by the dramatic forest all around. In September 2014, Skarpåkersskolan was completed. The school stretches over 3,240 sqm, has room for 240 students and is one of the largest construction projects in Kramfors in modern times. The most important success factor was Krambo’s enthusiasm for the architectonic vision. We have loved the creative partnership, and been impressed by their courage, desire and responsiveness.

Skarpåker’s school – forest, mountain and magic

We chose a wooden façade for Skarpåker’s school, using local wood that reflects the changing colors of the mountain. A broken roofline creates movement in the building’s silhouette, mirroring the ups and downs of Ådalen’s mountain landscape.

The entrances take inspiration from the caves in Skuleberget. Inside, wood from Kramfors was used for both the construction and surface layers. The layout of the interior spaces follows a natural flow. Ceiling light in the heart of the school—the square—mimics the way sunlight filters through the tree canopies in the surrounding forest.

We also wanted to capture the magic of the mountain. Colors, materials, and patterns reflect this idea, especially in details such as the glass sections.

We chose to cover Skarpåker’s school in a wooden façade from local wood, with the changing colours of the mountain.

Architecture against bullying in tomorrow’s learning environments

Local builders and craftsmen stayed highly engaged throughout the project. As a result, their dedication played a key role in achieving a high-quality result. Consequently, Skarpåkersskolan has become a central meeting place and a great source of pride in the area. In addition, the rooms provide flexible solutions tailored to the needs of future learning environments. They not only support various activities for students but also serve other purposes outside school hours. This ensures that the space remains active and valuable to the community at all times.

The architecture reflects openness, playfulness, and transparency. It encourages collaboration while reducing vulnerability and bullying among students.