The wood-industry advocacy group reThink Wood has released "Summary Report: Survey of International Tall Wood Buildings." Conducted by Perkins + Will for Forestry Innovation Investment and the Binational Softwood Lumber Council, the free report summarizes stakeholder experiences with 10 built projects in Europe, Australia, and Canada, including commercial, residential, mixed-use, and institutional facilities of five to 10 stories.
In particular, the report stresses characteristics of owners and Building Teams that are necessary for success in building tall with wood, including a high level of initial commitment, planning, collaboration, and holistic innovation.
Stakeholders are usually motivated by a desire for innovation, market leadership, and carbon reduction, with dual objectives of energy efficiency and healthy indoor environments. The existence of supportive government policies was an important factor in the acceptance of mass timber solutions for many of the profiled projects.
The report also acknowledges the need for additional refinements to allow timber to become a common solution for tall buildings. Issues and strategies for technical challenges are discussed, including the topics of structure, lateral stability, fire protection, acoustics + vibration, systems integration, moisture protection, and durability.
Click here for a complete report download.
Related Stories
| Feb 15, 2012
Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs
Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.
| Feb 15, 2012
Englewood Construction announces new projects with Destination Maternity, American Girl
Englewood’s newest project for Wisconsin-based doll retailer American Girl, the company will combine four vacant storefronts into one large 15,000 square-foot retail space for American Girl.
| Feb 14, 2012
Angelo State University opens doors to new recreation center expansion
Designed by SmithGroup, the JJR_Center for Human Performance offers enhanced fitness options, dynamic gathering space.
| Feb 14, 2012
SAIC selected for architectural and engineering design services at Lajes Field, Azores
SAIC’s services will include a broad variety of new construction projects and maintenance and repair projects
| Feb 14, 2012
Skanska promotes Aparicio and hires Leintz in Southern California
Aparicio and Leintz are both based in Skanska’s Los Angeles office.
| Feb 14, 2012
The Jackson Laboratory announces Gilbane Building Co. as program manager for Connecticut facility
Gilbane to manage program for new genomic medicine facility that will create 300 jobs in Connecticut.
| Feb 14, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti names Al Hashimi vice president for its Middle East Operations
Al Hashimi is joining the company to help expand Thornton Tomasetti’s business in the region and support clients locally.
| Feb 13, 2012
WHR Architects renovation of Morristown Memorial Hospital Simon Level 5 awarded LEED Gold
Located in the Simon Building, which serves as the main entrance leading into the Morristown Memorial Hospital campus, the project comprises three patient room wings connected by a centralized nursing station and elevator lobby.
| Feb 13, 2012
Center for Sustainable Building Research launches CommercialWindows.org
Resource aims at reducing commercial operating costs and energy consumption.
| Feb 13, 2012
New medical city unveiled in Abu Dhabi
SOM’s design for the 838-bed, three-million-square foot complex creates a new standard for medical care in the region.
