The building material of the future? Wood.
All across the world, developers and architects are turning to mass timber.
Topics:
The advantages of mass timber for sustainable building
How nations and neighborhoods are approaching mass timber
Yep, it’s hot. The current heat wave is breaking records, so it’s a fitting moment for Tampa to unveil its new climate action plan… and since the built environment accounts for 40 percent or more of global CO2 emissions every year, it’s also a good time to discuss how we’re going to start building towards a net-zero future with more sustainable and resilient designs.
Let’s kick things off with mass timber, which is surging in popularity. Just last year, Milwaukee’s 284-foot Ascent tower claimed the crown as the world’s tallest mass timber structure. In Singapore, Asia’s largest mass timber project recently opened its doors. Meanwhile, in Sweden, plans to build a "wood city" are already underway.
Why the sudden mass timber mania? Putting the aesthetics aside (though you have to admit, these buildings are pretty cool), mass timber is also cost-effective, surprisingly resistant to fire, and environmentally friendly—some estimates say it could reduce emissions from the built environment by up to 26.5%.
That’s not to say mass timber doesn’t face its own set of challenges. 2021 changes to the International Building Code may have cleared the path forward for tall timber (previously limited to 85 feet of height), but there are still questions about how to sustainably manage forestry practices to provide builders with all that wood… heavy logging, paired with more frequent wildfires, have amazingly transformed some forests from carbon sinks into carbon emitters.
There are a plenty of incredible visions for tomorrow’s neighborhoods out there. I’m excited to see how this brave new world comes together.
- John
Read more:
Mass Timber's Growing Popularity Reflected in Record-Breaking US Building
As Mass Timber Takes Off, How Green Is This New Building Material?
‘Like entering a forest’: Inside Asia’s largest timber building
This week’s notes from half-court…
In his second game, Victor Wembanyama showcased his exceptional skills, proving he can hang with NBA talent. With a remarkable performance of 27 points and 12 rebounds, he leaves no doubt about his potential in the regular season.
Cooper Flagg, the top player in his high school class, is a versatile 6'8" and 200-pound talent, capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor and playing multiple positions. In a recent head-to-head showdown against Cameron Boozer, another top player in his class, Flagg's impressive display left spectators in awe—just check out this coast to coast dunk!