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
| Nov 9, 2011
American Standard Brands joins the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium
American Standard will collaborate with other organizations to build an industry-wide sustainability performance index.
| Nov 8, 2011
Transforming a landmark coastal resort
Originally built in 1973, the building had received several alterations over the years but the progressive deterioration caused by the harsh salt water environment had never been addressed.
| Nov 8, 2011
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Moisture-related failures in agglomerated floor tiles
Agglomerated tiles offer an appealing appearance similar to natural stone at a lower cost. To achieve successful installations, manufacturers should provide design data for moisture-related dimensional changes, specifiers should require in-situ moisture testing similar to those used for other flooring materials, and the industry should develop standards for fabrication and installation of agglomerated tiles.
| Nov 8, 2011
$11 million business incubator Florida Innovation Hub at the University of Florida completed by Charles Perry Partners, Inc.
The facility houses the UF Office of Technology Licensing, UF Tech Connect, other entities, and more than 30 startup technology tenants.
| Nov 8, 2011
Designer joins Holabird & Root
Clifton has been awarded numerous awards throughout her career, including two AIA Chicago Design Excellence Awards.
| Nov 4, 2011
Mortenson Construction builds its fifth wind facility In Illinois
Shady Oaks Wind Farm is under construction near Compton, Ill.
| Nov 4, 2011
CSI and ICC Evaluation Service agree to reference GreenFormat in ICC-ES Environmental Reports?
ICC-ES currently references CSI's MasterFormat and other formats in all of its evaluation reports. The MOU will add GreenFormat references.
| Nov 4, 2011
McCarthy completes construction of South Region High School No. 2 in Los Angeles
Despite rain delays and scope changes, the $96.7 million high school was completed nearly two-months ahead of schedule.
| Nov 4, 2011
Two Thornton Tomasetti projects win NCSEA’s 2011 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards
Altra Sede Regione Lombardia and Bank of Oklahoma Center both recognized.
| Nov 3, 2011
GREC Architects announces opening of the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa
The hotel was designed by GREC and an international team of consultants to enhance the offerings of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club without imposing upon the dramatic landscapes of the elite golf course.