This Ultra-Modern Home Was Built Using a Revolutionary New Construction Method — And It Can Even Fend off Wildfires
Recently, a residence constructed in the high desert of Oregon, spotlighted in Sunset magazine, made notable strides. The Octothorpe House, envisioned by Mork-Ulnes architects, achieved a significant milestone upon its finishing touches—it stood out as one of the pioneering homes in the United States crafted entirely from cross-laminated timber (CLT). According to statements provided to Sunset by the architects, the homeowners approached them with a concept for an environmentally forward-thinking residence, and the preference for CLT was driven by its sustainable characteristics.
According to Yahoo, CLT is a wood product made of several layers of lumber arranged crosswise, glued together, and hydraulically pressed for strength. The piece of lumber you get from this process is as strong as concrete but five times lighter and much better for the environment.
Fair Planet reports that concrete, iron, and steel production accounts for 27% of the world’s industrial harmful carbon pollution and that concrete alone, the most used building material on the planet, accounts for over 7% of carbon pollution worldwide.
On the other hand, CLT is easy to produce and can be pre-cut offsite. This creates much less construction waste, and what isn’t used can be recycled right at the factory that makes it.
While concrete will still have to be used for foundations, CLT can be used for flooring, walls, and even ceilings. According to an article in the University of Washington Magazine, buildings made with CLT could result in a 25% to 30% reduction in pollution that causes planetary overheating compared to a similar building made of traditional materials.
Aside from greatly reducing the need for concrete, CLT benefits the climate by locking in carbon, and its lightweight and fire-resistant properties make it ideal for taller and commercial buildings.
