The sustainable construction revolution continues to gather momentum, with mass timber leading the charge toward a greener built environment. Fresh research from Edinburgh Napier University confirms what many in the industry have long championed – mass timber buildings produce 50% less carbon emissions than conventional construction methods, easily exceeding RIBA's 2025 targets for whole-life carbon performance.

Texas architecture firm Corrigan has stepped up with a game-changing sustainability calculator specifically designed for mass timber projects. This innovative tool helps architects accurately estimate biogenic carbon emissions, providing crucial data for environmentally conscious design decisions. Meanwhile, in Toronto, an ambitious new residential tower is set to demonstrate the remarkable efficiency of prefabricated timber construction. The 230 Royal York project will rise approximately 30 metres in a mere 90 days – a testament to how advanced timber engineering is transforming construction timelines.

The creative potential of engineered timber continues to evolve in spectacular ways. We revisit the stunning Shigeru Ban-designed Swatch headquarters with its 4,600 unique glulam elements forming a sinuous, organic structure that defies conventional expectations of timber architecture. Equally impressive is the floating groin vault ceiling created by University of Bath researchers using just four large CLT panels – showcasing how mass timber can achieve complex architectural forms previously considered impossible with wood. Don't forget to check our LinkedIn feed for images of these remarkable projects and stay tuned for next week's announcement about the Build the Impossible Rothoblast competition for 2025!

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