STOCKHOLM - Swedish architects are planning a housing development on Stockholm's waterfront featuring 31 cross-laminated timber (CLT) towers.
Designers Anders Berensson Architects were commissioned by the political group Stockholm Centre Party to conceive a sustainable district for the Swedish city. The architects are describing the proposed district as an environmentally-friendly "wooden skyscraper city". Around 5,000 new homes will be created.
"Wood is the building material that releases the least carbon dioxide in today's construction industry and is therefore the obvious choice to build a new Swedish city area in," the architects explained in a statement.
Made of the trending CLT, the 31 towers will be between 25 and 35 stories and spread across an area of 19 blocks. In addition to homes, the buildings will contain more than 90 shops and restaurants.
Because the Stockholm district is located in valley, the buildings will line up with the surrounding hills. Raised walkways will allow easy access to the valley's trails.
The timeline and cost for the project have not yet been released.
Cross-laminated timber and mass timber construction have been on the rise throughout in the U.S. and around the world. CLT can be used to construct buildings of equal strength and fire-resistance as those made of steel and concrete. It has fueled the passions of architects and environmentalists, who believe it to be a much greener method for housing the world's growing population.
McDonald's new flagship restaurant in Chicago is made of CLT.
Many projects are finished or are in the works - including a 500,000-sq-ft skyscraper in New Jersey, a 100-story tower in London, a 40-story building in Stockholm, and a residential complex in Vancouver. An 18-story CLT wood structure, a student residence at the University of British Columbia, is nearing completion.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.