Murray Grove | Waugh Thistleton Architects

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. Commissioned by Metropolitan Housing Trust and developed by housebuilder Telford Homes, the tower houses twenty-nine apartments with a neighbourhood office on the ground floor. The unique structure of the 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. The production of concrete and steel are very energy intensive, pumping tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In complete contrast timber stores carbon as it grows, meaning that this building stores 186 tonnes of carbon within its structure for its lifetime. The process of building in pre-fabricated timber is fast, the entire building was completed within forty-nine weeks. It is also incredibly accurate, and a healthy environment to both work on and live in. Upon its completion the building had zero defects and 100% tenants approval successfully demonstrating that solid timber construction is a financially viable, environmentally sustainable and beautiful replacement for concrete and steel in high-density housing.