Construction is well underway on what will be the world’s highest wooden building in the west coast city of Bergen. When completed, the apartment block known as “The Tree” will have 14 floors and stand 51 meters high, eclipsing the current 32-metre, 10 floor record holder in Melbourne, Australia.
Building began at the site by Puddefjord Bridge in April, said the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food in a press release on Monday. Despite still being in the early stages of construction, the project had already attracted a lot of international interest.
“This is a project we have worked on for many years, and now it’s becoming a reality,” said Åge Holmestad from bonded laminated timber company Moelven Limtre. “It is a prestigious project for all who are participating. It is not certain that it opens the market for many tall buildings like this, but this building technology is equally applicable for buildings of seven to 10 floors.” The building was designed by architects Artec AS, and BOB Eiendomsutvikling AS signed on as the builder.
The apartment block will consist of modules and framework made out of the glued laminated timber. Construction on the bonded timber was due to begin after the summer break, before the first four individual apartment modules were mounted in November. A “power floor” support structure would then be built between each level of modules.
The government hoped the project would draw attention to its push to use more Norwegian timber in construction projects. “Active forestry gives renewable raw materials in the form of building materials, among other things,” said Agriculture and Food Minister Sylvi Listhaug. “We should use as much timber in the forest as possible to build beautiful and environmentally friendly residences, commercial buildings and bridges. It is a more sustainable use of the forest then leaving it to rot. The use of wood in new construction projects, such as we’re now seeing concrete examples of across the country, is good for value-adding, settlements and the environment.”
newsinenglish.no staff
