A Global Look at an Approach Starting to Deliver in the South
While mass timber has transformed the construction industry across many parts of the world, the Southeastern US remains untapped for this innovative approach to architecture that delivers outsized benefits. You might’ve seen our blog showcasing some recent projects in Atlanta, but here is a look at projects across the world that might one day inspire a design near you.
Mass timber, an innovative construction material that uses large, prefabricated wood panels for load-bearing structures, is transforming the architecture and construction industries. As a renewable resource, wood offers a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials like steel and concrete, making mass timber a popular choice for green building projects. Here are some of the key benefits of mass timber and 10 examples of its use in groundbreaking architectural projects around the world.
The Benefits of Mass Timber:
1. Sustainability
Mass timber is sourced from renewable forests, where trees can be replanted and harvested sustainably. It also has a lower carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel, both of which require significant energy to produce. Additionally, mass timber stores carbon, helping to offset emissions during the construction process.
2. Lightweight Yet Strong
Despite being lighter than steel and concrete, mass timber is incredibly strong. This makes it an ideal material for building tall structures, as its light weight reduces the load on foundations while maintaining structural integrity.
3. Prefabrication Efficiency
Mass timber is often prefabricated off-site, which speeds up construction time and reduces waste. Prefabrication also improves precision, ensuring a more efficient and streamlined construction process.
4. Energy Efficiency
The natural insulating properties of wood help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Mass timber structures can better regulate indoor temperatures, leading to lower heating and cooling costs.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Wood offers a natural warmth and aesthetic that is difficult to replicate with other materials. The visual appeal of exposed timber adds character and beauty to buildings, making mass timber a popular choice in modern architecture.
10 Prominent Examples of Mass Timber in Architecture
1. Mjøstårnet (Brumunddal, Norway)
Height: 280 feet (85.4 meters)
Completed: 2019
Architect: Voll Arkitekter
Mjøstårnet holds the title of the world’s tallest mass timber building, standing 18 stories high. It is a mixed-use building that includes apartments, offices, a hotel, and a restaurant, all constructed using cross-laminated timber (CLT). Its towering presence along Lake Mjøsa showcases the strength and versatility of timber construction.
2. Brock Commons Tallwood House (Vancouver, Canada)
Height: 174 feet (53 meters)
Completed: 2017
Architect: Acton Ostry Architects
A residence hall at the University of British Columbia, Brock Commons Tallwood House was once the tallest mass timber structure in the world. The 18-story building primarily uses CLT and glulam (glued laminated timber) for its structural elements, reducing construction time and minimizing the building’s carbon footprint.
3. T3 Building (Minneapolis, USA)
Height: 85 feet (26 meters)
Completed: 2016
Architect: Michael Green Architecture
The T3 (Timber, Technology, Transit) building in Minneapolis is one of the largest modern mass timber office buildings in the United States. With seven stories of CLT and glulam, the T3 building offers a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing workspace for tenants in the North Loop neighborhood.
4. HoHo Tower (Vienna, Austria)
Height: 275 feet (84 meters)
Completed: 2019
Architect: RLP Rüdiger Lainer + Partner
Vienna’s HoHo Tower is a mixed-use structure that houses apartments, offices, a hotel, and wellness facilities. The tower’s hybrid construction incorporates both timber and concrete, with 75% of the structure made from mass timber, dramatically reducing its environmental impact.
5. The Sara Kulturhus (Skellefteå, Sweden)
Height: 262 feet (80 meters)
Completed: 2021
Architect: White Arkitekter
This cultural center and hotel in northern Sweden demonstrates the adaptability of mass timber in creating large public spaces. The building is made almost entirely of wood, including its towering 20-story hotel. Sara Kulturhus showcases how timber can be used to create both functional and artistic architecture.
6. Framework (Portland, USA)
Height: 145 feet (44 meters)
Projected Completion: N/A
Architect: Lever Architecture
Framework was designed to be the tallest wooden building in the U.S., but its construction was paused due to funding issues. The proposed 12-story building aimed to use mass timber to create a sustainable, earthquake-resistant structure while revitalizing the Portland urban landscape.
7. International House Sydney (Sydney, Australia)
Height: 82 feet (25 meters)
Completed: 2017
Architect: Tzannes Associates
Located in Barangaroo, one of Sydney’s largest redevelopment projects, International House Sydney is the first commercial office building in Australia made entirely from engineered timber. Its use of CLT and glulam creates a strikingly modern building with a reduced environmental impact.
8. Dalston Works (London, UK)
Height: 33 feet (10 meters)
Completed: 2017
Architect: Waugh Thistleton Architects
Dalston Works is one of the largest CLT buildings in the world, consisting of 121 apartments. The use of prefabricated timber panels enabled rapid construction, reducing noise and disruption in the busy London neighborhood while ensuring high sustainability standards.
9. Treet (Bergen, Norway)
Height: 160 feet (49 meters)
Completed: 2015
Architect: Artec AS
Treet, which means “The Tree” in Norwegian, is a residential tower made primarily from glulam and CLT. The 14-story building uses a modular construction method and serves as a striking example of how mass timber can be used to build taller structures in urban environments.
10. Carbon12 (Portland, USA)
Height: 85 feet (26 meters)
Completed: 2018
Architect: PATH Architecture
Carbon12 is an eight-story condo building and the tallest mass timber structure in the U.S. at the time of its completion. The building uses a combination of CLT and steel to create a modern, earthquake-resistant structure, proving that mass timber can meet the rigorous demands of seismic design.
The Future of Mass Timber
Mass timber is revolutionizing the architecture and construction industries by offering a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient alternative to traditional building materials. From reducing carbon emissions to providing faster construction times, the benefits of mass timber are undeniable. These ten prominent examples of mass timber architecture demonstrate the material’s versatility and potential to reshape skylines around the world.
As mass timber continues to evolve, we can expect to see even taller and more innovative buildings that harness the environmental benefits and beauty of wood. Whether it’s residential, commercial, or cultural spaces, mass timber is proving that it is more than just a trend—it’s the future of sustainable construction.
In the Southeast, where 245 million acres of forests provide rich resources, the opportunity for vertical integration between forest management and mass timber construction is immense. Companies that own both forestland and construction firms can capitalize on a direct supply chain of sustainably harvested timber for mass timber projects. This integration reduces costs and ensures a sustainable, traceable source of timber, while also promoting environmental stewardship. By harnessing the Southeast’s vast forest resources, companies can lead in eco-friendly construction, particularly in the growing mass timber industry.
