The world’s tallest mass timber building will use “as much wood as possible,” with Milwaukee’s 50-storey tower demonstrating a willingness for “secondary cities” to lead the way in sustainable development.
That is according to Michael Green, a global leader in mass timber buildings and architect behind The Neutral Project’s new skyscraper, which is only a short walking distance from The Edison, a 32-storey timber-steel hybrid building now under construction.
According to Mr Green, Milwaukee city officials are completely “on board” with the sustainable-centric design – before adding that smaller cities, like Milwaukee, have a unique opportunity to create sustainable models for larger urban centres to follow – with larger cities, like Chicago, less willing to experiment with materials.
“It is ambitious projects like this that show how smaller cities are now poised to surpass the once-dominant capitals that shaped our skylines a century ago. Milwaukee’s progressive leaders are embracing a future-oriented vision, encouraging development and innovation. Secondary cities across America are proving what’s possible. It’s time we all listen.”
Michael Green talking to Dezeen about the 50-storey timber project now approved by the Milwaukee city officals.
Mr Green has long argued for timber as part of a suite of bio-based construction materials. Last year, Wood Central reported that “no building will be truly sustainable until the industry moves away from the three big carbon generators—concrete, steel, and masonry. In the design-build world, the term ‘sustainable’ has become almost mythical as architects and builders search for construction techniques that ease the burden on the environment.”
Wood Central understands that the new building is part of a larger development incorporating several other mid-rise structures. These developments are still “evolving” and are likely to happen in phases to account for the large density of the mostly low-lying structures.
The 50-story building could consist of “up to 750 residential units, “90,000 square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, 1,100 structured parking spaces, and public plazas/walkways.
In July, Wood Central reported that the City of Milwaukee had granted the developers a one-year exclusive hold over the project to shore up financing: “As Mayor, I have not been shy about my goal to grow our city’s population to one million Milwaukeeans,” said Milwaukee Mayor Caveliaer Johnson. “To do that, we must be aggressive and reach new heights.”
The new project comes as new types of buildings made from timber and steel hybrid are becoming mainstream across America, with developers turning to new systems to reduce steel, concrete, and glass in buildings.
“There are 1,500 buildings that have been constructed or are in design across the United States,” according to Kevin Naranjo, National Program Manager for Mass Timber at the US Forest Service Wood Innovations Program, who spoke to Wood Central about the wave of timber buildings now sweeping American cities. “That number is growing exponentially with the US government and cities pledging to be net-zero by 2050.”
According to Mr Naranjo, timber-based construction systems are compelling for rural, regional, and so-called secondary cities: “It creates a safer and quieter construction site. You bring a truck in, put the pieces in place, and the truck goes away. Most projects can shave two or more months off construction and occupy the building sooner.”
- To learn more about the surge in mass timber construction across the United States and the Midwest’s role in driving mid-rise and high-rise timber construction, visit Wood Central’s special feature.
