Cross laminated timber (CLT) is one of the most exciting building materials being used at the moment. It is strong but very light due to the layering of wood and glue to create the composite. In addition it is more eco friendly, requiring fewer resources to manufacture it and producing less carbon. One of the most interesting buildings created in London using CLT is a ten storey apartment building in Dalston. When completed it was believed the property contained more engineered timber than any other building in the world. From the exterior the property looks like it is made from brick. The timber was also used to create the party walls inside, floors, ceilings, and stairs. A lift core is also made from it rather than heavier materials like steel and concrete. The height of the building is notable. It stands 33.8 metres tall, a surprising height considering that the site is located close to a planned Crossrail route. The weight savings the CLT offers allowed this. If concrete had been used the structure would have weighed five times more and would not have been viable for the location. The apartment building is praised for being low carbon and highly sustainable. In fact due to the use of timber the property will actually be carbon negative for a few years. The property is also a great result for low cost building. CLT is cheaper than a whole host of materials, making it a more viable option. It allows prefabrication, meaning properties can be built in sections and delivered to the site ready to assemble. This results in a shorter build time and smaller expenses for contractors. The project demonstrates just how good cross laminated timber is and the positive impact it could have on the future of building. The low costs and shorter build time means it could be a material that helps to ease the current issues with high demand for housing and low supply.
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