Wood is by far one the oldest materials in the world, and it exists so gracefully in the forests around us. Admiring the strength and durability of trees, it only made sense to build with wood. Probably it was the most basic material available, but nonetheless, vernacular architecture has incorporated wood materials impressively. But that’s the thing, you associate wood with a cozy hut or a modern house by the lakes. Never would you think about skyscrapers or tallest wooden buildings.
That’s the beauty and intrigue of the modern world and technological advancements. We probably don’t need more skyscrapers in the world, but what if they were made entirely out of wood and were extremely sustainable, would you give it a shot? Beyond aesthetics and cozy vibes, towering wooden structures around the globe are reshaping skylines and the urban fabric. This article explores 8 of the tallest and most impressive wooden buildings with a special honorable mention at the end.
Ascent Residential Building
Year: 2022
Architect: Korb + Associates
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Height: 87 meters
Materials Used: Cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam beams, concrete for core and stair shafts
Ascent is officially listed as the world’s tallest wooden building standing at 87 meters and 25 stories high. Designed by Korb + Associates as a luxury residential building, this project showcases timber’s ability to achieve sustainability and meet the structural demands of a high-rise construction.
Impressively so, the building houses 259 high-end apartments and various amenities such as a pool and sky-deck. The charring properties of CLT provide excellent fire resistance as it prevents the spread of flames in case a fire breaks out. Also, the use of timber decreases the building’s carbon footprint, which is an impeccable milestone in high-rise sustainable architecture.
Haut Residential Tower
Year: 2021
Architect: Team V Architecture
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height: 73 meters
Materials Used: Cross-laminated timber (CLT), concrete foundations
Haut residential tower is one of the tallest wooden buildings in the Netherlands. Standing at 73 meters and 22 stories, this project is a great example of utilizing sustainable materials in urban construction. Sustainability is even pushed further as the design focuses on energy efficiency through natural lighting and renewable energy systems. The structural material used is cross-laminated timber (CLT) which drastically reduces environmental impact in comparison to conventional steel and concrete.
Sara Kulturhus Cultural Hub
Year: 2021
Architect: White Arkitekter
Location: Skellefteå, Sweden
Height: 75 meters
Materials Used: Prefabricated timber modules, cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam
Sara Kulturhus is a cultural hub in Sweden that features theaters, a library, an art gallery, and residential units. The most impressive part about the structure is that it is made almost entirely out of timber, particularly prefabricated timber modules,CLT, and glulam. This daring shift towards using timber reflects Sweden’s commitment to sustainable architecture, as they even sourced the timber from local forests.
Even the construction process reduced the project’s overall carbon footprint, for they used prefabricated elements to build faster. Note that its extensive use of wood not only reduces CO2 emissions but also enhances the building’s aesthetic which creates a warm, inviting, and natural environment.
HoHo Wien Mixed-use Building
Year: 2020
Architect: RLP Rüdiger Lainer + Partner
Location: Vienna, Austria
Height: 84 meters
Materials Used: Timber (walls, floors, columns), concrete core
HoHo Wien is a mixed-use building that has residential, office, and hotel spaces. The building’s design reflects the growing trend of using natural materials in high-density urban settings; it also aligns with Vienna’s direction toward eco-friendly development.
The structure integrates wood for 75% of its construction, particularly using prefabricated timber components for the walls, floors, and columns. Only the building’s core is made of concrete, a decision made to provide more stability and support 24 stories.
Mjøstårnet Mixed-use Building
Year: 2019
Architect: Voll Arkitekter
Location: Brumunddal, Norway
Height: 85.4 meters
Materials Used: Glulam, cross-laminated timber (CLT), locally sourced wood
Mjøstårnet is another mixed-use building that tops the list of tallest wooden buildings. The buildings house a rich array of spaces from a hotel, apartments, offices, to restaurants. This 18-story structure is built entirely from timber with the use of glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT).
Its wooden frame offers both strength and flexibility, proving that timber can be a viable material for high-rise construction. The design definitely stresses on sustainability as timber is locally sourced from the surrounding forests. By achieving significant CO2 savings, Mjøstårnet stands as a symbol of Norway’s leadership in green building techniques.
Brock Commons Tallwood House
Year: 2017
Architect: Acton Ostry Architects
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Height: 53 meters
Materials Used: CLT panels, glulam columns, steel beams for the roof
Brock Commons Tallwood House is a student residence at the University of British Columbia. This 18-story building was one of the first tallest wooden buildings in the world with a capacity to house over 400 students. Structurally speaking, the design utilizes cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glulam columns for support.
In order to meet building codes for fire safety, steel beams were used for the roof’s structure. Actually, the whole thing was built in a record 70 days due to the use of prefabricated timber components, which reduced both labor costs and material waste.
Treet Residential Building
Year: 2015
Architect: Artec
Location: Bergen, Norway
Height: 51 meters
Materials Used: Timber (modular), glulam, prefabricated timber elements
Rather known as “The Tree”, Treet is a 14-story residential building in Bergen. Back in 2015, it was one of the tallest wooden buildings due to its exclusive use of prefabricated timber modules. Adopting modular construction techniques allowed for the building’s rapid assembly and reduced waste.
With energy efficiency in mind, the design utilizes timber’s natural insulation properties to minimize energy consumption.Treet is a great example of sustainable urban living, where natural materials and modern amenities harmonize. The use of timber extends beyond aesthetic appeal; it also aligns with Norway’s environmental goals by reducing the building’s overall carbon footprint?.
Pagoda of Fogong Temple
Year: 1056
Architect: Unknown
Location: Yingxian, Shanxi Province, China
Height: 65.8–67.3 meters
Materials Used: Timber (traditional wooden joinery techniques)
The Pagoda of Fogong Temple, also known as Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, is one of the oldest and tallest wooden buildings in the world. It deserves a spot on this list because of its impressive height, exclusive timber construction, and surviving for so long.
Since its construction in 1056, it stands over 65 meters tall. The structure is made entirely out of timber by utilizing the traditional Chinese joinery techniques. It serves as both a religious monument and a historical example of early wooden architecture.
The pagoda has survived centuries without the use of nails or metal reinforcements, relying solely on its intricate wooden joints for stability. The pagoda’s design is a true testament to the durability and resilience of wood, as it stands the test of time despite natural disasters and war?.
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