Wooden skyscrapers point the way to more sustainable cities
7 days ago
- #carbon-sequestration
- #sustainable-construction
- #wooden-skyscrapers
- The first skyscraper built in Chicago in 1885 caused fear due to its steel frame, similar to current concerns about wooden skyscrapers.
- Wooden construction is healthier for people and the planet, as buildings contribute nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Michael Green, an architect, advocates for changing building materials to reduce carbon footprints, designing the world's tallest wooden skyscraper in Milwaukee.
- Mid-rise wooden buildings offer greater environmental impact than skyscrapers, though towers help advance wooden construction technology.
- Engineered wood technologies like cross-laminated timber have enabled the use of wood in mid-rise and high-rise buildings, improving strength and fire resistance.
- Building with wood can reduce carbon emissions significantly, with a 20-storey wooden building saving about 4,300 tonnes of CO2 compared to concrete.
- Wooden buildings sequester carbon, reduce construction emissions by 25%, and can be built faster than concrete structures.
- Governments can promote wooden construction through regulations, procurement policies, and wood-first initiatives, as seen in Canada.
- Extending the lifespan of wooden elements through reuse and recycling is crucial for maintaining carbon sequestration.
- Challenges in wooden construction include industry resistance to innovation, contamination of materials, and the need for better recycling networks.
- Wood is not always the best material for every construction need, and a balanced approach using multiple materials may be more sustainable.
- Future solutions may involve new structural materials made from plant fibers to further reduce waste and carbon emissions.