Constructed from cross-laminated timber panels from the first floor upwards, Stadthaus is the tallest modern timber structure in the world. The nine-storey building is the first of this height to construct load bearing walls and floor slabs as well as stair and lift cores entirely from timber. Each panel is made up of 5 layers of timber crossing each other, making a panel that could be compared to precast concrete. Doors and window openings are pre-cut into the panels during manufacturing and the panels arrive at site in lengths up to 9.0 m. The building was completed within 49 weeks.
This building is a result of the practice’s research in reducing the carbon emissions not only of the finished building but of the whole build process. Waugh Thistleton Architects estimate the wooden structure of the building will store over 186 tonnes of carbon for its lifetime. Moreover, by not using more traditional concrete building techniques, a further 125 tonnes of carbon is saved from entering the atmosphere. They anticipated carbon emissions saved from a building of this size to be the equivalent to 21 years of use.
More pictures @ Waugh Thistleton Architects
