On using cross-laminated timber for this kind of construction for the first time.
Here we are, our journey is still reverberating around us, and we’re thinking about the early 20th century. What an exciting time for architects and builders, who saw the genesis of constructions from the intelligent combination of steel and concrete. The innovation allowed for taller buildings with better resistance and morphological characteristics previously thought impossible. Building with wood seemed to belong to the past.
Today, more than a century later, the environmental crisis is a reality, and we are seeing a global shift back to the use of wood as the primary building material.
Turning to wood may seem like a strange idea—and to an extent, it is: unlike steel or concrete, regular wood is neither malleable nor strong enough to build high-rise buildings. But cross-laminated timber (CLT) is something entirely different. It is a very strong material made up of layers of wood boards glued perpendicularly in alternating directions, resulting in a strong joint that is nonetheless light and comparable in strength to concrete and steel. Although CLT is very new in Greece, the material has been in use for over 25 years in other parts of the world. While most people immediately associate wooden houses with small, one-story constructions, the industry of wooden multi-story constructions is growing faster and faster.
We are so grateful for the experiences that have brought us to this moment. In embracing the contrasts of our cultures and the intricacies of our desires, we have discovered a neighborhood that feels like home—a place where Greek tradition meets the Swedish spirit of sustainability.
The perfect place for concrete to meet wood.
Vi hörs!
OOAK architects
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