ALBAWABA – Milwaukee, a city in Wisconsin, currently has the world’s tallest wooden tower. The city is getting ready to inaugurate a new tower that will become the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper, designed by Michael Green Architects (MGA), a Vancouver-based multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design firm.
World’s tallest wooden tower
Michael Green Architects (MGA) recently released the plans for the new 55-story tower, made primarily of thick, compressed, and multilayered wood panels. This new tower will replace the current world record holder Ascent Tower.
It is worth noting that Ascent Tower, the current world’s tallest wooden skyscraper, was designed by Korn & Associates Architects. The 284-foot and 25-story high-rise is the world's tallest mass timber structure. It features 259 luxury apartments, retail space, an elevated pool with operable window walls, and a sky-deck.
The new project will be led by Neutral, a regenerative development company, and will consists of redesigning the Marcus Performing Arts Center into a space with residential units, offices, restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and public plazas.
The 284-foot and 25-story high-rise is the world's tallest mass timber structure. It features 259 luxury apartments, retail space, an elevated pool with operable window walls, and a sky-deck. (Shutterstock)
Michael Green Architects (MGA) hopes this project will set new global standards for the city, precisely in mass timber construction. The total estimate construction cost is expected to be around $700 million, according to the company.
Timber towers
Michael Green Architects (MGA) stated that the new tower will be approximately 600 feet (182 meters) tall more than double the 284 feet (87 meter) tall Ascent tower. Mass timber is being used widely in construction due to new regulations. Michael Green, an architect and founder of MGA, said: “The race for height is important, It’s not about showing off, it’s about showing what’s possible to the public.”
He added: “We didn’t really need to challenge the status quo of steel and concrete, but because those materials are so hard on the climate, we had to find a different way to build towers and big buildings in general.”
On the other hand, it is worth noting that some studies warn about increased demand for mass timber and how it will increase pressures on land use. To achieve carbon savings, trees need to be grown to absorb carbon and must be replanted once they are harvested. Green also stated that Michael Green Architects (MGA) sources its wood from managed forests in North America.
