Tallest wood building opens on the Ides of March

Sources: Metsä Wood, Finland; CP staff

The 280-ft. (85.4-meter) Mjösa Tower in Brumunddal, Norway, officially opened March 15, becoming the global height record holder for wood building. The 18-floor development includes private residences, a hotel and commercial office space.

The Mjösa Tower structure and façade are primarily of wood construction. The frame consists of glulam columns, beams and diagonal members, while floors on the first 10 levels comprise prefabricated wooden elements, including Metsä Wood’s Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber). Decks for the upper eight levels are concrete, which stabilizes the structure and curtails sway. Metsä Wood promotes Kerto LVL and other engineered lumber globally; subsidiary Metsä Wood USA Inc. is based in Norwalk, Conn.