Imagine a world where our skyscrapers are not just towering feats of engineering but also harmonious extensions of nature. This vision is what architect Michael Green passionately advocates for, drawing inspiration from his grandfather’s teachings and his son’s playful creativity with wooden blocks. Green’s journey with wood began in his childhood, where he learned to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of each piece of wood, much like the individuality of snowflakes. This connection to nature is something he aims to bring into urban environments through his architectural designs.
Wood, unlike steel or concrete, evokes a tactile and emotional response in people. Green has observed that individuals are more likely to touch and embrace wooden structures, perhaps because wood carries the ‘fingerprints’ of nature. This natural connection is something that Green believes can transform our urban landscapes, making them more inviting and sustainable.
As the global population continues to urbanize, with predictions that 75% of people will live in cities, the demand for housing is skyrocketing. Currently, a significant portion of urban dwellers live in inadequate conditions, such as slums, and millions are homeless. The traditional materials used in construction—steel and concrete—are not only energy-intensive but also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Together, they account for a substantial part of our carbon footprint, posing a challenge for sustainable urban development.
Wood offers a promising alternative. It is the only major building material that grows naturally, powered by the sun. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and when used in construction, wood can store carbon, effectively acting as a carbon sink. Each cubic meter of wood can store approximately one ton of carbon dioxide, making it a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
To harness the potential of wood, Green and his team are pioneering the use of Mass Timber panels. These panels are made from smaller pieces of wood bonded together, allowing for the construction of taller buildings. This innovation is pushing the boundaries of what is possible, enabling the creation of wooden skyscrapers that can reach up to 30 stories.
Concerns about fire safety and deforestation are addressed through careful engineering and sustainable forestry practices. Mass Timber panels are designed to be fire-resistant, burning predictably and slowly. Moreover, responsible forestry ensures that trees are harvested sustainably, providing economic incentives for forest conservation.
In North America, enough wood to build a 20-story building grows every 13 minutes. Constructing such a building with wood instead of concrete could result in a net reduction of 4,300 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking about 900 cars off the road for a year.
We are on the cusp of a revolution in building methods, with wooden skyscrapers poised to reshape our cities. This approach represents the first significant change in skyscraper construction in over a century. While engineering these structures is feasible, shifting public perception remains a challenge. However, just as the first 10-story skyscraper paved the way for future innovations, wooden skyscrapers are beginning to rise worldwide, with projects in London and Australia leading the charge.
Green hopes that his hometown of Vancouver will soon boast the world’s tallest wooden building, breaking new ground in architectural design and sustainability. This moment represents an opportunity to redefine our urban landscapes, making them more in tune with nature and more sustainable for future generations.
Imagine you are an architect tasked with designing a wooden skyscraper for a major city. Consider the aesthetic, structural, and environmental aspects of your design. Create a detailed sketch or model of your skyscraper, and prepare a presentation explaining how your design addresses urban challenges and sustainability goals.
Participate in a debate on the merits and drawbacks of using wood versus traditional materials like steel and concrete in skyscraper construction. Research both sides of the argument, focusing on sustainability, cost, and safety. Present your findings and engage in a structured debate with your peers.
Conduct a case study analysis of an existing mass timber project, such as the Brock Commons Tallwood House in Vancouver. Investigate the project’s design, construction process, and environmental impact. Write a report summarizing your findings and discuss how this project exemplifies the potential of wooden skyscrapers.
Attend an interactive workshop on the engineering principles behind mass timber construction. Learn about the properties of mass timber panels, fire safety measures, and sustainable forestry practices. Engage in hands-on activities that demonstrate the strength and versatility of wood as a building material.
Organize a field trip to a local forest or timber production facility to learn about sustainable forestry practices. Observe how trees are harvested and processed for construction, and discuss the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable forestry. Reflect on how these practices support the use of wood in urban development.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] This is my grandfather, and this is my son. My grandfather taught me to work with wood when I was a little boy. He also instilled in me the idea that if you cut down a tree to create something, you should honor that tree’s life and make it as beautiful as possible. My little boy reminded me that despite all the technology and toys in the world, sometimes just a small block of wood can be incredibly inspiring when stacked tall.
These are my buildings, which I design all around the world from our offices in Vancouver and New York. We create buildings of various sizes, styles, and materials depending on the location, but wood is the material I love the most. I’ve noticed that when people enter my wood buildings, they react differently. I’ve never seen anyone hug a steel or concrete column, but I have seen people touch and embrace the wood. I believe there’s a reason for this: just like snowflakes, no two pieces of wood are ever the same. It’s a wonderful thing to think that wood gives Mother Nature’s fingerprints to our buildings, connecting us to nature in the built environment.
I live in Vancouver, near a forest that grows to 33 stories tall. Down the coast in California, the Redwood Forest reaches 40 stories. However, buildings made of wood are typically limited to four stories in most places due to building codes. While there are exceptions, I believe we need to change this. Today, half of the world’s population lives in cities, and that number is expected to grow to 75%. As cities become denser, our buildings will need to be larger, and I think wood can play a significant role in this.
Over the next 20 years, 3 billion people will need new homes, which is 40% of the world’s population. Currently, one in three people living in cities resides in slums, and 100 million people are homeless. The challenge for architects and society is to find solutions to house these individuals. However, as we urbanize, cities are primarily built with steel and concrete—materials that have high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Steel accounts for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while concrete contributes over 5%. Together, they represent a significant portion of our carbon footprint.
Almost half of our greenhouse gas emissions are related to the building industry, and we need to address this. The challenge of providing homes for 3 billion people while combating climate change is a pressing issue. I believe wood can be part of the solution. As an architect, wood is the only major building material that grows through the power of the sun. When a tree grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. If that wood is used in a building or furniture, it can store carbon, providing a form of sequestration. One cubic meter of wood can store one ton of carbon dioxide.
To address climate change, we need to reduce emissions and find storage solutions. Wood is unique in that it can do both. I believe we need to adopt an ethic where the Earth grows our homes, just as it grows our food. To achieve this, we need to rethink our approach to wood buildings, which are often limited to four stories. We are working on 30-story buildings made of wood, engineered with new wood products called Mass Timber panels. These panels are made from young trees and small pieces of wood glued together, allowing for larger and more efficient construction.
Mass Timber panels are changing the scale of what we can achieve. We have developed a flexible system for building with these large panels, allowing us to construct six stories at a time. These buildings are designed to be safe and suitable for various architectural styles around the world, even in high seismic zones like Vancouver.
When discussing fire safety, it’s important to note that Mass Timber panels are difficult to ignite and burn predictably. We can use fire science to ensure these buildings are as safe as concrete and steel. Regarding deforestation, we must be careful not to cut down the wrong trees. Sustainable forestry models allow us to harvest trees responsibly, providing economic incentives for forest conservation.
We’ve calculated that a 20-story building can grow enough wood in North America every 13 minutes. If we built a 20-story building using concrete, it would produce 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide. In contrast, using wood would sequester about 3,100 tons, resulting in a net difference of 4,300 tons—equivalent to removing about 900 cars from the road for a year.
We are at the beginning of a revolution in building methods. This is the first new way to construct skyscrapers in over a century. However, changing society’s perception of what’s possible is a significant challenge. The engineering aspect is relatively straightforward compared to altering public perception.
The first skyscraper, which was 10 stories tall, faced skepticism, but it paved the way for future innovations like the Eiffel Tower. We are now seeing wood buildings rise around the world, with projects in London and Australia leading the way. I hope my hometown of Vancouver will announce the world’s tallest wooden building soon.
This moment could break the barriers of height for wood buildings and allow them to compete in the architectural landscape. Thank you.
[Music]
Wood – A natural material derived from trees, commonly used in construction and design for its strength and aesthetic qualities. – The use of wood in sustainable architecture is gaining popularity due to its renewable nature and low carbon footprint.
Architecture – The art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures. – Modern architecture often incorporates sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact.
Sustainability – The practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often by minimizing environmental impact. – Sustainability in urban planning is crucial for creating cities that can endure environmental challenges.
Urban – Relating to, or characteristic of a city or town, often involving high population density and infrastructure. – Urban design must consider green spaces to improve the quality of life for city residents.
Construction – The process of building or assembling infrastructure, typically involving planning, design, and execution. – The construction of eco-friendly buildings is essential for reducing the carbon footprint of urban areas.
Carbon – A chemical element that is a fundamental component of organic compounds and is significant in discussions of climate change due to carbon emissions. – Reducing carbon emissions from construction activities is a major focus of sustainable architecture.
Design – The process of creating a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system, often emphasizing functionality and aesthetics. – Innovative design in architecture can lead to more energy-efficient buildings.
Forestry – The science and practice of managing forests and woodlands for the sustainable production of timber and conservation of ecosystems. – Responsible forestry practices ensure a continuous supply of wood for construction while preserving biodiversity.
Innovation – The introduction of new ideas, methods, or products, often leading to advancements in technology and processes. – Innovation in building materials can significantly reduce the environmental impact of construction projects.
Environment – The natural world, including the air, water, and land in which people, animals, and plants live. – Architects must consider the environment when designing buildings to ensure they are sustainable and eco-friendly.
