Multi-storey wooden building research

Report into the comparative benefits of maximising wood use in multi-storey construction

A study undertaken by Canterbury University researchers and others, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, looked at the environmental benefits of maximising wood use in multi-storey buildings.

The project modelled the performance of four similar office building designs – concrete, steel, timber and timberPlus – all based on an actual six-storey 4,200m2 building, to investigate the influence of construction materials on life cycle energy use and global warming potential.

All four buildings were designed for a 60 year lifetime, with very similar low operational energy consumption.

Download the PDF of the report here

The following video is a prime example of the use of timber in a multi story buildings. Murray Grove Apartments (Stadhaus) is located just north of the centre of London and is the world’s tallest modern-timber residential building. it stands at nine storeys, the top eight being constructed from cross laminated solid timber. Designed by Andrew Waugh of Waugh-Thistleton Architects who claims that "the 21st Century will be built in wood".

Presentation credit: Wood. Naturally Better.

Visit the Stadthaus - Murray Grove Tower case study on the NZ Wood website