Engineered timber: CLT skyscrapers in Tokyo
For a long time, the idea of building tall structures out of wood seemed incompatible with the demands of safety, durability, and structural performance required by urban verticalization. However, this scenario is rapidly changing. Engineered timber—especially CLT (Cross Laminated Timber)—is redefining the limits of construction, with Asia emerging as a key player in this transformation.
In dense and highly technological cities like Tokyo, where the search for sustainable solutions has become a strategic priority, ambitious projects are demonstrating that wood can indeed compete with concrete and steel at scale. Studies and proposals for buildings of up to 70 stories made from engineered timber are already placing this topic at the center of global discussions about the future of cities.
The advancement begins with the material itself. Unlike conventional timber, CLT is made from layers of wood bonded in cross directions, forming structural panels with high strength, dimensional stability, and excellent mechanical performance. This configuration allows the material to support significant loads, making it viable for applications that were once exclusive to traditional systems.
In addition, engineered timber offers a strategic environmental advantage: it acts as a carbon reservoir. During their growth, trees absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, and this carbon remains stored within the building structure throughout its lifecycle. When combined with sustainable forest management practices, timber construction can not only reduce emissions but actively contribute to climate change mitigation.
Another decisive factor is industrialization. CLT components are manufactured in controlled environments with high precision and arrive on-site ready for assembly. This drastically reduces construction time, minimizes waste, and improves working conditions. In large-scale projects, this industrialized approach has proven to be a significant competitive advantage.
From a structural perspective, hybrid solutions have been essential in enabling increasingly taller buildings. The combination of engineered timber with concrete or steel cores helps meet strict requirements for global stability, wind resistance, and seismic performance—particularly critical in regions like Japan. This integration of materials expands possibilities and accelerates the sector’s learning curve.
Fire safety, historically one of the main concerns, is also being addressed through advanced research. CLT elements exhibit predictable behavior under fire, forming a protective char layer that shields the structural core. With proper design and complementary protection strategies, it is possible to meet—and often exceed—regulatory requirements.
Perhaps the most profound impact of engineered timber lies in the mindset shift it demands. Building skyscrapers with wood challenges deeply rooted paradigms in engineering and architecture. It requires new design approaches, new supply chains, and a rethinking of traditional decision-making criteria.
Asia’s leadership in this movement is no coincidence. Countries like Japan combine a strong culture of innovation, sustainability-driven public policies, and a long-standing tradition of timber use. This creates a favorable environment to test, validate, and scale solutions that may soon become global benchmarks.
For Brazil, the rise of engineered timber represents a strategic opportunity. With vast forest resources and experience in plantation forestry, the country has the potential to develop competitive solutions—especially if it successfully integrates technological innovation, industrialization, and appropriate regulatory frameworks.
Ultimately, CLT skyscrapers are more than a technological curiosity—they are a clear signal that the future of construction can be lighter, more efficient, and better aligned with the environmental challenges of our time. And like other major engineering transformations, this one begins gradually, but with the potential to profoundly reshape how we build our cities.