"Where U.S. cities manage to have a high-rise form, the skyscrapers are almost always built with concrete and steel. Could wood soon become part of that mix?
This notion has long been considered untenable because of the perceived fire risk and structural weakness of wood. But a technology called cross-laminated timber (CLT)—where smaller pieces of wood are glued and compressed together—has reduced the safety and fire risks of wood high-rises compared to steel.
CLT has been lauded for its positive environmental impacts—wood construction can capture carbon emissions and emits less than standard buildings. The adoption of CLT could prove a sustainable market-based answer as cities seek to cut pollution from buildings, which now make up almost 40 percent of emissions. Moreover, the material, which is assembled offsite, could significantly cut down on the lag time between groundbreaking and completion.
This notion has long been considered untenable because of the perceived fire risk and structural weakness of wood. But a technology called cross-laminated timber (CLT)—where smaller pieces of wood are glued and compressed together—has reduced the safety and fire risks of wood high-rises compared to steel.
CLT has been lauded for its positive environmental impacts—wood construction can capture carbon emissions and emits less than standard buildings. The adoption of CLT could prove a sustainable market-based answer as cities seek to cut pollution from buildings, which now make up almost 40 percent of emissions. Moreover, the material, which is assembled offsite, could significantly cut down on the lag time between groundbreaking and completion.