Wood Up, a 16-story residential tower in Paris, stands as a pioneering example of timber construction in urban settings. Designed by LAN Architecture and REI Habitat, the project has become a landmark for its use of French beech, the country’s most abundant timber, transported from Normandy by barge. It is the tallest wooden building in France and a bold exploration of sustainable housing in one of Europe’s densest cities.

The tower combines a three-story concrete base with a glulam timber frame supported by dual rings of timber columns. Beech columns provide compressive strength for the inner structure, while Douglas fir columns on the outer ring stabilize the building. Floors incorporate a wood-concrete composite, and exposed timber beams and columns dominate the interiors, offering both structural integrity and sensory appeal.

Pioneering Timber Construction

Before Wood Up, France had no clear regulations for timber buildings of this scale. Every element required custom laboratory testing, and new standards were developed during the project, especially after the 2019 Notre-Dame fire heightened safety concerns. Despite construction delays caused by regulatory challenges and timber shortages due to the Olympic Village, the project was completed with costs only slightly above conventional concrete structures (€2,700/m² vs. €2,500/m²).

Sustainability and Design Innovation

Timber’s low carbon footprint aligns with the project’s BBCA (low-carbon building) standards. The design maximizes natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows supported by the wooden framework, while solar-control films and thermal curtains help manage heat gain. Encircling balconies provide fire breaks and create small communal spaces, enhancing the building’s functionality and sustainability.

Inside, timber remains visible in columns and beams, creating a warm, natural environment. LAN co-founder Umberto Napolitano notes, “We wanted people to live in wood,” emphasizing the connection between residents and the material.

A Model for Community and Flexibility

Wood Up dedicates 2,000m² of its 8,900m² to shared spaces, including a rooftop garden with photovoltaic panels and a two-story terrace on the eighth floor, designed to foster community interaction. The modular construction allows for future adaptability, ensuring the building evolves with its residents’ needs.

While timber proved effective in this project, Napolitano cautions against over-reliance on any single material. He advocates for combining approaches, such as rammed earth, recycled materials, and retrofitting, to create truly sustainable architecture.

Wood Up redefines urban timber construction, offering lessons in innovation, sustainability, and the responsible use of materials. It stands as a bold testament to the potential of timber to shape the future of city living.