japanese developer sumitomo forest has joined forces with architectural designers nikken sekkei, announcing plans for the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper. the 1,148-foot (350 metre) skyscraper is set to be completed by 2041 and is located in central tokyo.

UPDATE: this project was shortlisted in the ‘experimental – future project’ category at the 2018 world architecture festival.



all images courtesy of sumitomo

the timber skyscraper forms part of the W350 project, a mixed use environmentally friendly development whose completion will mark sumitomo‘s 350th anniversary. the concept has been prepared by sumitomo’s tsukuba research institute which the company hopes will help ‘transform the city into a forest’.

the plan will see 70 storeys comprising of steel and timber covering 6,500 square meters and 455,000 square meters in floor space. 6.5 million cubic feet of wood will be required to realise the braced tube structure designed in collaboration with architectural designers nikken sekkei. braced tubing summarises a structural system strengthened by inserting elements into the incorporated framework to prevent any damage caused by conditions brought on by earthquakes or just simply wind.

renderings of the W350 project show timber buildings covered in greenery that according to sumitomo will be built to withstand earthquakes and fires – with what resistance and for how long is not yet public knowledge. the completed tower will house shops, offices, a hotel and residential units, whilst sketches show balconies wrapped around the entire facade.

once completed the building will not only outstrip abeno harukas in osaka, which currently holds the crown as japan’s tallest building it will be the tallest timber tower in the world. in doing so the company hopes that the project will popularize timber architecture and help jumpstart a revitalization of the forestry industry in rural areas and interest in reforestation.