Considering the use of timber

The concept for London's first timber skyscraper was released at the beginning of April 2016. The cutting edge design would create the second tallest building in the capital behind the Shard if the plan is followed through to construction.The idea is to build a 300 metre tall, 80 storey skyscraper that would feature 1,000 homes of varying sizes. The structure would be built from crop timber grown specifically for use in the building industry. Timber naturally has a smaller carbon footprint than other materials, and is a sustainable and eco friendly option. All trees cut down for the material can be replanted and any waste material can be recycled, making timber one of the most relevant materials for use in sustainable architecture.If the skyscraper is built, it would become the tallest residential wooden building in the world. The current holder of that title is an apartment block in Bergen, Norway, that stands 14 storeys tall, but this property will be overtaken in 2017 when the 18-floor Tall Wood Building is completed at the University of British Columbia, Canada.Around the world, many architects and researchers are investigating the use of timber and attempting to determine how viable it is for use in tall buildings. In fact, the UK's Engineering and Physical Science Research Council has been offering funding to support the exploration of timber. The designs that have been revealed are impressive and show the potential of what may be achieved with this fantastic material.Timber can be used to create buildings that have an affinity with people. In comparison to steel and concrete, it is perceived as being warmer and more inviting as well as more eco-friendly. Despite its many qualities, timber is often underused in the world of contemporary architecture, particularly in larger structures. The new research and plans being released seem to indicate that this could change in the near future.At Coffey Architects we love working with timbers because of the natural, welcoming feeling they offer to a space, as well as for the sustainable qualities they offer. We have used different types of timber in many projects, from our Modern Mews residential development to public buildings such as the Tricycle Theatre and commercial premises like the newly refurbished U+I Headquarters. In each case, we ensure the material is used strategically in a way that will benefit the inhabitants of the property as well as the overall purpose of the structure itself. We would love to see timbers used more often for structural purposes as well as decorative flourishes, and welcome these new plans.