Cutting carbon: work starts on world's tallest cross-laminated timber building

The Dalston Lane development in Hackney is to use more than 3,500m³ of the sustainable timber (CLT), making it the largest project of its kind globally, claimed engineers at Ramboll. The 121 units are spread over 10 storeys. The overall height of the building is more than 33 metres. It will provide “significant residential capacity” over 12,500 square metres, and more than 3,400 square metres of commercial space.

Ramboll CLT engineer Gavin White told The Engineer that the timber was much less heavy than concrete, making it ideal for lightweight construction in an area of east London where Crossrail and HS1 passed underneath the streets. It had been used in other projects in the UK in Norwich and Bristol, he added.

The timber meant that the building would save 2,400 tonnes of carbon, White said. The London Borough of Hackney is encouraging timber construction as part of a ‘timber first’ policy. Total emissions of carbon, taking into account development and transport of materials, and construction of the building, would mean 50% less emissions, White added.