The world’s tallest wooden skyscraper is set to be constructed in Milwaukee, USA. The 55-story building has been designed by Michael Green Architecture (MGA). The building will be partially covered with greenery and will feature multiple terraced areas.
It will be part of a large, multi-building project valued at $700 million. The project will be completed in several phases and will encompass up to 750 residences, 17,600 square meters of office space, 3,700 square meters of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, parking spaces, and vibrant public squares and walkways.
Currently, the world’s tallest all-timber building is Mjøstårnet in Norway, standing at 85.4 meters.
“As Mayor, I have not been shy about my goal to grow our city’s population to one million Milwaukeeans,” says Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, according to Milwaukee Record. “To do that, we need to be aggressive and reach for new heights. This project will help us do just that, literally aiming to set local and global records, but just as importantly, add density and activity to an underutilized City-controlled parcel in downtown Milwaukee. It also represents a forward-thinking Milwaukee, open to outside investment and ideas, and I thank The Neutral Project for their confidence in Milwaukee’s future.”
A lot of people believe that constructing a wooden skyscraper is dangerous due to the risk of fire. However, modern solid wood, such as glulam and cross-laminated timber, differs from traditional lumber. It is manufactured in factories by bonding multiple layers of wood together to create a stronger wooden beam. In fact, it can even surpass steel as it chars instead of igniting in a fire.
