Pioneering residential timber high-rise in Paris
A high-rise block resembling stacked wooden shelves has caused a stir in the French capital. Named Wood Up, this timber structure is reducing CO2 emissions by 80 percent compared to a conventional design, according to architects LAN.
In the east of Paris, Tours Duo – the twin towers designed by Jean Nouvel architectural studio – have been joined by another new development. Just next to these crooked skyscrapers, which soar upwards to a height of 180 and 120 metres, a compact high-rise is making its mark on the cityscape on the edge of the 13th arrondissement in Paris. Even though it is dwarfed by the two towers at just 50 metres tall, the building is still a record breaker. Known as Wood Up, it was the first purely residential high-rise in Paris to be developed with wood.
With the strict structure of its façade divided into equal compartments made of glulam timber, the construction looks like a piece of urban furniture. The solid wooden columns extend outwards beyond the expansive windows and serve as a sheltering brise soleil. Projecting concrete floors on each storey provide structural protection for the wood. Designed as a modernist stack of wooden shelves, it exudes a certain warmth and unexpected Scandinavian flair amongst the glassy façades and early industrial chimneys.
Showcasing eco-friendly construction
Its elongated, see-through horizontal section in the upper third is a veritable eye-catcher that allows a clear view through the width of the structure. For passers-by, it is a kind of urban “spyhole”, whereas for residents it is a large exterior space for events, BBQs and yoga in the morning. Looking out over Paris from this 500 m² terrace, there are sweeping views of the panorama from the Eiffel Tower over to La Défense.
Wood Up is the long-awaited result of a competition from 2017 which was motivated by commitments made at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015, co-financed by the City of Paris. Located on the banks of the Seine, it is an iconic flagship of eco-friendly construction which the city showcased to the world during the Summer Olympics in 2024. Besides the Centre Aquatique Olympique swimming baths, various apartment and office buildings were also constructed with timber.
Furniture from offcuts
The wood used for this residential tower was sourced from French forests. What’s more, the building’s location next to the river allowed this renewable construction material to be transported via the Seine. Douglas fir was chosen for exterior areas due to its high resistance to moisture. The interior columns are beech, which has substantial compressive strength. And spruce was selected for the beams due to its considerable rigidity.
Wood is an extremely interesting material in terms of carbon emissions, since trees capture carbon throughout their lifetime, and continue to sequester it during their life cycle.
Umberto Napolitano, architect
Instead of using the leftover wood to produce energy, as is so often the case in woodworking companies, the architects made furniture for the shared spaces. “Wood is an extremely interesting material in terms of carbon emissions, since trees capture carbon throughout their lifetime, and continue to sequester it during their life cycle,” explains Umberto Napolitano, who runs Paris-based studio LAN together with Benoît Jallon.
80 percent less CO2
Throughout an expected life cycle of 50 years, Wood Up will produce 80 percent less CO2 than a conventional building, Napolitano has calculated. This takes all CO2 saving measures into account, even including transportation on the river and furniture production from offcuts. Its developers REI Habitat have chosen to become pioneers of eco-friendly construction: “Preference for the French market enables us to reduce the effects of CO2 from transportation on the total impact of real estate projects, and also boost the local economy,” they observe.
Preference for the French market enables us to reduce the effects of CO2 from transportation on the total impact of real estate projects, and also boost the local economy.
REI Habitat, developer
Before the disastrous fire at Notre Dame, there were no specific regulations for buildings that use wood. But since then, fire safety has been handled with particular care, says Napolitano. For instance, the timber construction components for this residential building had to be tested repeatedly beforehand to ensure they could withstand fire for at least eight hours. And the external columns have a wooden core separated from the outer panel by a non-combustible layer.
In addition, there is clear evidence that Wood Up has increased the attraction of living on the very edge of the city. The popularity of this way of life meant that 132 units were already rented out just shortly after the new building was completed.
Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Photos: Charly Broyez, Daisy Reillet