{"id":3719,"date":"2023-03-15T00:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T00:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/?p=3719"},"modified":"2024-10-21T20:31:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T10:31:33","slug":"mass-timber-a-significant-step-not-the-final-destination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/mass-timber-a-significant-step-not-the-final-destination\/","title":{"rendered":"Mass Timber: A significant step, not the final destination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Mass Timber pioneer Michael Green contends that while mass timber construction represents a crucial advancement towards sustainability, it should not be mistaken as the end-all solution. Green, the founder of Michael Green Architects based in British Columbia, Canada, has been a forerunner in promoting timber as a construction material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"Xi_PD5aZT7Q\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Michael Green: Why we should build wooden skyscrapers\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xi_PD5aZT7Q?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In 2013 Michael Green gave one of the most famous lectures on timber skyscrapers. Footage courtesy of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TED\"> @TED<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>He warns architects not to view themselves as sustainable solely because they have designed a mass timber building. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/2023\/03\/13\/michael-green-interview-timber-revolution\/?li_source=base&amp;li_medium=bottom_block_1\">Speaking to Dezeen magazine<\/a> as part of the Timber Revolution series, Green said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no such thing as being a sustainable architect.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pushing the boundaries with Mass Timber<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>He considers mass timber as the most superior choice currently but urges architects to continue pushing boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Green sees the increasing use of mass timber as proof that the construction sector is capable of transitioning to renewable and eco-friendly materials. Nevertheless, he stresses that solving the industry&#8217;s problems of overbuilding and waste requires more than this shift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Green stated, &#8220;All buildings have a long way to go before they&#8217;re even remotely sustainable.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"878\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-878x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-878x1024.webp 878w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-600x700.webp 600w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-257x300.webp 257w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-768x896.webp 768w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-1317x1536.webp 1317w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-1756x2048.webp 1756w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-696x812.webp 696w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-1068x1246.webp 1068w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-1920x2239.webp 1920w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-360x420.webp 360w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1-1320x1539.webp 1320w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/t3-mass-timber-building-michael-green-architecture-timber-revolution_dezeen_2364_col_1-scaled-1.webp 2027w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 878px) 100vw, 878px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Michael Green designed the T3 in Minneapolis in 2016, what was the tallest timber structure in the United States. (Photo credit: Ema Peter).<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Having worked on various mass timber projects, <a href=\"https:\/\/structurecraft.com\/projects\/t3-minneapolis\">such as T3 in Minnesota<\/a>, Green admits that he once championed steel and concrete architecture. However, after experiencing the European mass timber movement, he founded his own company dedicated to environmentally conscious methodologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reliance on Steel, Glass and Concrete is antiquated <\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>Green argues that the reliance on steel, glass, and concrete by modernist architects is now obsolete. He foresees a future where all buildings are constructed using bio-based materials and labels architects who don&#8217;t adopt this mindset as &#8220;dinosaurs.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p> &#8220;We are Mother Nature&#8217;s revolution, not the industrial revolution.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Michael Green of <a href=\"https:\/\/mg-architecture.ca\/\">Michael Green Architects<\/a>&nbsp;<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mass Timber is a milestone on the path<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p>He believes architects play a critical role in shifting perceptions of what can be achieved, with mass timber serving as just one step towards incorporating biomaterials in all facets of the built environment. To create a lasting impact, the mass timber movement must transform into a comprehensive, global approach to inventive construction that takes local ecosystems into account and reduces superfluous building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-1024x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-100x100.webp 100w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-600x600.webp 600w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-1536x1536.webp 1536w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-696x696.webp 696w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-1068x1068.webp 1068w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-420x420.webp 420w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq-1320x1320.webp 1320w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Timbe-Revolution-graphic_dezeen_01-sq.webp 1704w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Timber Revolution is a campaign by Dezeen exploring how materials and technology are impacting the world we live in.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/timber-revolution\/\">Illustration by&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yo-hoso.com\/\">Yo Hosoyamada<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Green recognizes that mass timber may not be the ideal solution for every region, as some areas either lack forests or have severely threatened forests. Consequently, his current work concentrates on alternative resources, including grasses, bamboo, and other plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With extracts from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dezeen.com\/timber-revolution\/\">Dezeen Magazine<\/a>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mass Timber pioneer Michael Green contends that while mass timber construction represents a crucial advancement towards sustainability, it should not be mistaken as the end-all solution. Green, the founder of Michael Green Architects based in British Columbia, Canada, has been a forerunner in promoting timber as a construction material. He warns architects not to view [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3723,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[3,38,39],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[69],"class_list":{"0":"post-3719","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-architecture","8":"category-architecture-and-design","9":"category-mass-timber"},"authors":[{"term_id":69,"user_id":1,"is_guest":0,"slug":"woodcentral","display_name":"Wood Central","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MASTER-BRAND-MARK_POS_RGB-e1676449549955.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MASTER-BRAND-MARK_POS_RGB-e1676449549955.jpg"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3719"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3729,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3719\/revisions\/3729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3719"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=3719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}