Mjostarnet by Voll Arkitekter

Mjostarnet by Voll Arkitekter in Brummunddal, Norway is the world’s tallest timber building. It’s 85.4 meters high and was built using cross laminated timber (CLT). The structure of the building is timber, including elevator shafts made from CLT and columns made from glued laminated timber (glumam) which is incredibly strong and can be used instead of concrete or steel. Timber materials were sourced locally as Brummendal is within a major forestry and wood processing region. In using timber, the carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere from the trees and is stored in the structure permanently.

The facade is made from large prefabricated panels with non-combustable insulation and are attached to the timber structure. Every timber element in the facade construction had to be fireproof so a fire safe pine product was chosen for the cladding.

The 18 story high-rise contains apartments, hotel, restaurant, commercial offices and common areas including an indoor swimming pool.

Sustainability specs:
– Locally sourced timber from sustainable forests
– Timber is renewable, recyclable and with low embodied carbon
– The building’s structure is made from cross laminated timber (CLT) glued laminated timber (glumam)
– External cladding is fire safe pine cladding

Mjøstårnet is to be a symbol of the “green shift”, and a proof that tall buildings can be built using local resources, local suppliers and sustainable wooden materials. The most important aspect of this building is to show that it is possible to build large, complex timber buildings, and in turn, inspire others to do the same.