Timberbuilt

Timberbuilt is a construction concept that prioritizes timber as the primary structural and façade material. The term appears in professional discourse to describe buildings that use engineered wood products—such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam), and laminated veneer lumber (LVL)—often in prefabricated panels or modules and connected with metal fasteners or adhesives.

Modern timberbuilt blends traditional timber framing with contemporary engineering to enable longer spans and higher performance. Fire safety is addressed through design strategies, fire-rated assemblies, and regulatory approvals; many jurisdictions have updated codes to accommodate tall timber buildings.

Applications include residential, commercial, and public structures. Benefits often cited are lower embodied carbon, reduced construction time, lighter structural loads, and a warm, natural interior aesthetic. Challenges include cost in some markets, supply chain limits for engineered wood, moisture management, and evolving local building standards.

Notable examples include the Mjøstårnet in Norway, a timber-dominated mixed-use tower completed in the late 2010s, and the Brock Commons Tallwood House in Vancouver, a large timber student residence. Timberbuilt continues to evolve with advances in adhesives, certification, and design methods.