Mass Timber

Timber has been used as a building material for thousands of years. Thanks to its sustainability benefits, the speed of construction through off-site manufacture, and the growing evidence of the benefits to the well-being of occupants, timber is currently experiencing a renaissance in the building industry.

New types of engineered timber that are stronger and more stable enable us to design and build bigger, higher, and in more varied configurations. Furthermore, digitalisation and computerized prefabrication techniques permit more complicated designs, and factory production means enhanced quality control and assurance.

Driven by ambitious and visionary projects, timber construction is being developed into new and exciting possibilities.

William Johnston senior director and leader of the timber network

William Johnston senior director and leader of the timber network

Carbon friendly

Timber is renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and waste efficient.

Healthy

Timber buildings support the health and wellbeing of people in homes, offices, schools and in healthcare.

icn-corporate-responsibility-hs-simplifying

Design

Offsite manufacturing permit more complicated designs and factory production means enhanced quality control and assurance

Timber Engineering Design

Timber is an increasingly popular design material, particularly engineered products such as nail-laminated timber (NLT), glue-laminated timber (GLT), or cross-laminated timber (CLT) with its two-way spanning capability.

The suitability of timber for off-site manufacturing is one of its chief advantages. Where site access is constrained, for example in cities or in remote areas, prefabricated products offer a viable and economic alternative to construction methods that involve more intensive onsite activity. Panels are relatively lightweight and cost-effective to transport, and can be easier to lift, reducing the need for cranage. It also results in faster construction because the use of materials such as concrete, mortar, and plaster is reduced or eliminated.

And since prefabrication happens in a factory, activities on-site are also quieter. This is particularly beneficial in urban areas where development sites are often in densely populated locations and construction noise is unpopular, or possibly even restricted within certain hours.

Lastly, new studies have shown that timber construction supports the health and wellness of people.

Featured Projects

Massachusetts, USA

Groton Hill Music Centre, where the structure is part of the performance

This timber structure frames a beautiful space where an entire community can share the transformative power of music.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne Central

Famous for its historic tower preserved in a glass dome, the Melbourne Central shopping and entertainment complex has presented us with unusual design challenges during our ongoing work with GPT Group to develop its facilities. Amongst the most notable is our design for its nine-screen cinema.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Racehall

The new, climate-friendly Racehall located near Copenhagen in Denmark is the world's largest indoor go-kart track. The building is a spacious round arch hall with large glulam rafters that span the 75-meter-wide hall, and a facade of sandwich panels.

Maastricht, Netherlands

De Geusselt Swimming Pool

This 10.200m² multifunctional swimming pool and club accommodation is located in the heart of De Geusselt, Maastricht. Thanks to careful integration of building materials and technical design, the building uses around a third of the energy of a similar building. The project used glue-laminated timber (glulam), mass timber trusses, and engineered timber floor panels.

Gothenburg, Sweden

WSP involved in developing Sweden's first fossil-free preschool

Gothenburg Municipality has set a goal of reducing its consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. To this end, work has now started on an innovative project to build a fossil-free preschool. The preschool, which will be called 'Hoppet', is being built by Derome. WSP has been attached to the project to help find optimal solutions through investigating and testing different processes, materials and methods.

Blackthorne Point, UK

Timber Solution for a Carbon Hotspot

WSP Buildings/Environmental collaboration uses timber to achieve 30% carbon reduction for client targeting net zero

Ydalir, Norway

Ydalir School

Ydalir Skole (school) is a mass timber project based in Elverum, Norway, that is central to the development of a new residential area of 1,000 homes.

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Gore Meadows East Community Centre Phase 2

Phase Two of the Brampton East Community Centre integrates an additional 23,000 -m² of multi-programed space for one of Brampton’s rapidly growing community districts.

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Montessori Lower School Addition

This new 22,500 sq.ft addition to Toronto Montessori’s Lower school features a new entrance, reception lobby, gymnasium, student common space, administrative offices, and a shipping and receiving area.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Cathedral College New Classroom Block

WSP used a Future Ready approach to recommend the structures and design of Christchurch's Cathedral College's three-storey classroom and administration block.

Insights

The Best Of All Worlds: A Hybrid Approach To Mass Timber

Being smart about the way we incorporate mass timber products into buildings enables us to make the most of all their advantages.

Tall Timber: How High Can CLT Go?

Timber could be an alternative to concrete when building high. It is lighter, and it also speeds up the construction time.

Back To Wood In The Cities Of The Future

Incorporating more wood into construction is about building a more sustainable future.

Vertical Timber Extensions On Existing Building

In this podcast, Emma Russel from WSP, shares insights on 55 Southbank Boulevard, in Melbourne.

A Sustainable Timber Footbridge For An Historic Environment

Our experts explore the path to create a design solution on a highly sensitive site with numerous conflicting demands.

thu-clt-wood-alternative-material-for-seismic-zones

Is CLT The Answer For Seismic Zones?

New-generation timber-framed buildings have properties that make them ideal for surviving earthquakes.

Global expertise in timber

Our global network of timber experts actively shares knowledge and expertise, ensuring that our timber solutions incorporate the latest global innovation and technology to deliver safe, economic, and highly sustainable buildings that maximise the potential of wood construction and respect local building codes.

International

Americas

Africa

Asia

Europe

Middle East

Oceania