Maroc - TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - 25/Feb 23:44

10 projects that showcase wood in 2025

As 2025 begins to take shape, the architectural community is eagerly anticipating the debut of several innovative mass timber buildings. Source: Timberbiz Here is a selection of 10 from over 2,000 new projects supplied by Stora Enso set to launch this year. Each building exemplifies the versatility and cutting-edge advancements in construction that significantly reduce emissions using climate-conscious materials and biophilic design. The World Expo 2025, Osaka, Japan The 2025 World Expo in Osaka promises to be a showcase of global innovation, and  the Czech pavilion made from a prefabricated mass timber kit of parts (Sylva by Stora Enso delivered by A2 Timber) is a standout example. The breathtaking geometric design concept, rooted in the principle of raw material efficiency, ensured rapid on-site assembly. Expect to see a 260-meter-(853 ft) long educational trail, with views of Osaka Bay, and a multifunctional auditorium that will offer a rich program throughout the entire exhibition. Timber Square, Bankside, UK In the heart of London, Timber Square, designed by Bennett’s Associates is poised to become a landmark of sustainable urban development. Landsec’s mammoth 370,000 square feet scheme reconstructs a former printworks into two office-led timber buildings (15 floors and 10 floors high) combining retail units and leafy, public space. It is set to be the largest commercial development in the UK to utilize cross-laminated timber, delivered by Hybrid Structures and will be one of the most vibrant new hubs for work and leisure. Walworth Town Hall, Southwark, UK This Victorian heritage building was badly damaged by a fire in 2013 and has since undergone extensive restoration with mass timber delivered by B&K Structures, playing a central role in its renovation. This historic building has been revitalised to serve as a community hub, featuring flexible spaces for events, exhibitions, and local businesses. The use of timber not only respects the building’s heritage as a beloved landmark but is also at the forefront of decarbonising the built environment in keeping with London’s low emission ambitions. Paradise, Lambeth, UK Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio’s 5,876 m³ (63,250 sq ft) six-storey mass timber office building on Old Paradise Street was strategically designed with a hybrid solid timber low-carbon approach by B&K Structures. The project is praised for transforming a disused site into a dynamic workspace, with many highlighting its low-carbon construction and operational benefits which are expected to achieve BREEAM Excellent | WELL Gold rating | RIBA’s 2030 | Climate Challenge | LETI’s 2030 target. Hosta, Paris, France Hardel Le Bihan’s design of Hosta stands out as one of France’s most exciting mass timber buildings to open this year, thanks to its leveraging of engineered wood’s lightweight properties to bridge six lanes of traffic. This technical tour de force significantly contributes to the transformation of a busy urban crossroads, accommodating seven-storey halls of residence for young workers, a feat that would have been impossible at such height with concrete. Albizzia, Lyon, France This timber frame city block in Lyon, also by Hardel Le Bihan, in association with Insolites Architecture, is a mixed-use, flexible, adaptable design that showcases the versatility of mass timber delivered by our partner Woodeum and Lyon-based developer, UTEI. The scheme incorporates four separate and distinct buildings, including housing, social accommodations, offices, commercial spaces, and a 53-metre tall (16-floor) tower for mixed uses. First Building, Bradfield City Centre, Sydney Australia First Building designed by Hassel Studios, and timber delivered by Savcon – houses Stage 1 of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF). It is the First Building in Bradfield City Centre Australia’s newest city in over a century on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International Airport (WSI). Mälarterrassen, Stockholm, Sweden Mälarterrassen in Stockholm’s Slussen district is set to be one of the most exciting projects of 2025. This ambitious development, designed by White Arkitekter and Foster+Partners, transforms the area into a lively, human-centred space with six restaurants, terraced buildings, and an open staircase connecting key points. New Offices of Graf Holztechnik, Horn, Austria Graf Holztechnik’s 19-million-euro expansion of its premises marks another milestone in sustainable architecture. The building’s design by the leading Austrian architect, sps÷architekten, prioritises energy efficiency and employee wellbeing, featuring extensive use of natural materials and daylight. The open-plan layout fosters collaboration, while the precoated hydrophobic timber structure provides a long-lasting, warm and inviting atmosphere. It exemplifies how modern offices can be both functional and beautiful. UPNA Health Sciences Building, Pamplona, Spain Last but by no means least, the new Faculty of Health Sciences at the Public University of Navarra (UPNA) is set to be the largest mass timber building in the region, featuring nearly 10,000 m² of solid wood. Designed by VArquitectos and Bryaxis Arquitectos, and delivered by Iberian mass timber specialist Madergia, this positive energy building uses 2,287m³ of prefabricated Sylva™ CLT elements. Located near two major hospitals, UPNA will provide students with state-of-the-art, healthy laboratories, classrooms, offices, and a central atrium to foster social connection.