FEATURE
Europeans in the Lead The race to be tallest, biggest and greenest
Mjøstårnet PHOTOS: Ricardo Foto, Woodify, Øystein Elgsaas
As wood’s resilience, versatility, cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits are becoming better understood, high-rise wood construction – whether hybrid or completely mass timber – is growing increasingly popular throughout the world. While innovative building design is fueling wood’s resurgence, Europe rightfully claims a leadership role in promoting the use of mass timber. This February, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that by 2022, the country would aim for
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building all new public buildings with at least 50 percent wood and/or other bio-sourced materials; the decision was inspired by the low-carbon mandate introduced by Paris, which requires all structures eight storeys or taller to be constructed of timber for the 2024 Summer Olympics. A 2017 report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat revealed that the majority of timber-based projects seven storeys and taller were being constructed in France, Austria and
