Stockholm aims for the world's tallest timber-framed building but Melbourne's Forté on secure footing until 2023
There's a chance the world's tallest timber-framed building will be constructed in Sweden's Stockholm.
Its one of three shortlisted proposals in a housing design competition.
Its a 34-storey wooden skyscraper by architects C.F. Miller, Dinell Johansson, and consultant Tyrens which gives a vision of future housing that would be cheaper, easier and more sustainable than typical steel and concrete constructions.
Property Observer is currently running a poll with the question: Would you buy an apartment in a timber building? given the world's tallest wooden apartment block is in Melbourne's Docklands precinct.
C. F. Møller architect Ola Jonsson told Dezeen "the building industry has started taking responsibity for the environment."
According to Jonsson, using wood could even be a cheaper alternative, as it is a lighter material that costs far less to transport. It is also more fire-resistant than steel or concrete.
"We have a long history of building wooden structures in Sweden," he explains.
If built, the 34-storey building would exceed the height of Lend Lease’s timber Docklands development Forté (pictured below), the tallest timber residential building in the world.
The $11 million project makes use of the lightweight cross-laminated timber (CLT), commonly used in Europe, which has a structural strength similar to concrete and steel.
There are be 23 apartments in the 32-metre, 10-storey building. Prices start from $435,000 for a 59-square-metre one-bedroom apartment, climbing to the high $600,000s for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom pad, with the penthouses reaching $795,000.
Construction of the building was quieter, more efficient, faster and safer than construction with more traditional materials.
There was also the nine-storey Murray Grove tower in London, as well as a proposed 20-storey tower in Vancouver by architect Michael Green and a Swedish tower approved at 30 floors.
The winning entry in the competition, organised by Swedish building society HSB Stockholm, is scheduled for in 2023 to coincide with the organisation's 100th birthday.
Anyone can vote for the winner using the HSB Stockholm Facebook page.
