Innovative Architectural Design Strategies Using Wood

Look up to some of the highest skyscrapers in the world and you’ll notice a common theme – nearly all are constructed with steel and reinforced concrete. Many even have curtains of glass or polished stone for a more modern look. Still, there’s nothing quite like wood as a construction material. It’s been used for thousands of years to craft everything from simple tools to large residential buildings.

Wood offers a natural and aesthetic look that other materials just can’t replicate. But this material also has its limitations. Wood is a hygroscopic material meaning that it absorbs condensable vapours which can cause it to deteriorate over time and even potentially compromise home security. Another valid concern is that a large structure built entirely of wood would crumble under its own weight. Yet another serious matter is the fire risks involved as wood is highly combustible. It wouldn’t take much for a small structure to quickly be enveloped in flames.

These concerns are certainly legitimate. It’s the reason why buildings have primarily been built from more durable materials like steel and concrete. In Norway, it was actually prohibited to construct timber houses taller than three-storeys up until 1997. That law has since been changed and now Norway is home to the largest tower made from timber.

Reaching New Heights With Engineered Wood 

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Thanks to the development of engineered-wood products, there is a growing trend of new buildings emerging built entirely from wood. Many contemporary architects are now starting to focus their designs around this highly specialised building material. Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a wood panel that consists of layers of solid-sawn lumber which are glued and pressed together to form panels up to 50 cm thick. 

The material has enabled the construction of multi-storey buildings built entirely from timber. The Stadthaus is just one example. The nine-storey residential building in Hackney, London designed by architects Waugh Thistleton is constructed entirely from CLT panels. It’s the first building of this height to not only use load-bearing walls and engineered floorboards but also stair and lift cores made from timber. The building was completed in 2009 but has since paved the way for other builders.

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Forte Living is a ten-storey apartment building and the first in Australia to be built using CLT. Danish architect CF Moller has won a competition with innovative designs for a 34-storey residential wooden skyscraper in Stockholm. The designs centre entirely around wood as a primary construction material with an emphasis on environmental sustainability.

CLT first emerged in Europe but has since gained momentum in locations around the world. It’s already proven itself as a viable building material for low to high-rises. But perhaps its biggest attraction lies in its sustainability as it offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to materials like concrete and steel. As engineered wood becomes more widely used, it will undoubtedly lead to more innovative architectural design strategies.

Wood isn’t just becoming more popular in commercial buildings. Homeowners are starting to utilise wood in creative ways to give their homes a more timeless appeal. A home designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects and featured in Contemporist utilised floorboards to build a curved floating wood shelf and a pocket door. Even the stairs were made of floorboards. To give your home a similar look, we offer a wide selection of Moku engineered floorboards that combine the quality and grain variation of real European Oak.

Shop from Renovator Store and order samples today from our large range to inspect them in person.

Author’s Bio Alex Morrison has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries including home improvement, financial support and health care. He has used his knowledge and experience to work for clients as diverse as The Wood Tech Group, Cosh Living and Me Bank to help them reach their business goals.