Norway's wooden skyscraper points to sustainable urban construction
Mjøstårnet, an 18-storey wooden skyscraper in Norway, is the world's tallest all-timber building, standing at 277 feet. The structure uses engineered wood for its frame, floors, and even elevator shaft, offering a low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel. As cities seek to reduce emissions, timber construction is emerging as a viable solution for future urban development.
The tower's construction relies on glulam—engineered timber formed by bonding precision-cut wood blocks with high-strength adhesive. The largest single component in the building measures roughly two feet by five feet in cross-section, and even the elevator shaft is fabricated entirely from wood, though the cabin itself uses steel and glass. Developer Arthur Buchardt conceived the project as a simple napkin sketch: two rectangles, one stacked atop the other, with the upper form stretching ever upward.
Mjøstårnet sits beside Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, near the town of Brumunddal. Its 18 storeys house offices, apartments, and a 72-room hotel. The building's pale burnt-orange exterior and triangular crown of exposed beams make it the sole tall structure in the surrounding landscape. Norway's broader shift toward sustainability is evident in
in 2024, it became the first nation where electric vehicles outnumbered petrol cars. CONTEXT: Timber skyscrapers could reshape urban construction practices if they prove durable and cost-competitive at scale. Cities facing strict emissions targets may view mass timber as a practical alternative to concrete and steel, potentially influencing building codes and supply chains. Developers, architects, and forestry industries could all be affected, while residents might gain access to lower-carbon housing. However, widespread adoption depends on long-term performance data and regional timber availability, so the sector's growth may remain gradual rather than immediate.