The 280-ft. (85.4-meter) Mjösa Tower in Brumunddal, Norway, officially opened on the Ides of March, becoming the global height record holder for wood building. The 18-floor development includes private residences, a hotel and commercial office space. The 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 Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber) from Finland’s Metsä Wood. 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.
Read MoreConcrete decks world’s tallest wood building
