Michael Green: Why we should build wooden skyscrapers

The Role of Wood in Modern Architecture

Introduction to Personal Connection with Wood

• The speaker introduces his grandfather and son, highlighting a personal legacy tied to woodworking.

• Emphasizes the importance of honoring nature when using wood, inspired by lessons from his grandfather.

• Reflects on how simple materials like wood can inspire creativity and connection, as demonstrated by his son's interaction with it.

Architectural Practice and Preference for Wood

• The speaker discusses his architectural work across Vancouver and New York, focusing on diverse building styles.

• Expresses a strong preference for wood as a building material due to its unique impact on people's emotions.

• Observes that people often physically connect with wooden structures in ways they do not with steel or concrete.

Unique Qualities of Wood

• Highlights the individuality of each piece of wood, comparing them to snowflakes—no two are alike.

• Discusses the limitations imposed by building codes that restrict wooden buildings to four stories in many regions.

Urbanization and Housing Challenges

• Notes that urban populations are expected to grow significantly, necessitating new housing solutions for three billion people over the next 20 years.

• Points out the stark reality that one billion people live in slums while another hundred million are homeless.

Environmental Impact of Traditional Materials

• Critiques reliance on steel and concrete due to their high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (8% total).

• Stresses that nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gases stem from the building industry, urging a reevaluation of construction materials.

The Promise of Wood as a Sustainable Solution

• Argues for innovative thinking around housing solutions amid climate change challenges.

• Describes wood's ability to sequester carbon dioxide when used in buildings, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Advancements in Wooden Construction Techniques

• Introduces mass timber panels made from young trees as a revolutionary approach to taller wooden buildings (up to 30 stories).

Innovative Building Solutions with Mass Timber

Introduction to Mass Timber Panels

• The speaker compares mass timber panels to large Lego bricks, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize construction by allowing for larger and more flexible building designs.

• A system called FFTT is introduced, which enables the construction of buildings using large panels that can be tilted up six stories at a time, adaptable for various architectural styles globally.

Engineering Challenges and Safety Considerations

• The engineering of these buildings is tailored for high seismic zones like Vancouver, capable of reaching heights of 30 stories despite skepticism from audiences about safety.

• Fire safety is addressed; mass timber panels are likened to logs that are difficult to ignite but burn predictably when they do catch fire, making them as safe as traditional materials like concrete and steel.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

• Deforestation contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable forestry practices are essential in sourcing wood for construction without harming ecosystems.

• The speaker highlights the economic benefits of sustainable forestry, suggesting that fast-growing trees can provide sufficient material for large buildings while promoting forest conservation.

Carbon Sequestration Benefits

• Constructing a 20-story building with wood could sequester approximately 3,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide compared to emitting 1,200 tonnes if built with cement. This results in a net reduction equivalent to removing around 900 cars from the road annually.

Changing Perceptions in Construction

• The speaker emphasizes the need to shift societal perceptions regarding tall wooden structures, noting that engineering challenges are manageable compared to changing public opinion.

• Historical context is provided by referencing early skyscrapers and how public fear was overcome through successful engineering feats like the Eiffel Tower.

Future Prospects and Innovations

• A theoretical model for new wooden skyscrapers has been developed at a technical university in New York. The focus remains on structural integrity while allowing flexibility in design aesthetics.