Tower bei Tag_Image credits go to Voll Architects AS_backside_R01

Mjøstårnet sustainable timber engineering

At 84.5 metres, Mjøstårnet is currently the tallest timber construction in the world. The tower extends to 18 storeys, consisting almost entirely of environmentally friendly materials like glued laminated timber. Offices, apartments, restaurants, and even a hotel are spread over an area of 11 300 m². The approximately 65,000 fasteners from SFS serve to ensure the complete stability of this impressive building.

Added Value

Use renewable building materials capable of Carbon sequestration
Plant at least two new trees for each one felled
Using timber for the support structures reduces emissions by up to 85%
Use of robust WT-T fixings to ideally support height and materials

Tower bei Tag nah_Image credits go to Voll Architects AS_brygge_R01 redigert — At 84.5 meters high, the wooden building breaks all previous records, © Voll Architects AS

Record-breaking building

Many world records spring from an off-the-wall idea. Such was Mjøstårnet, the pilot project in Brumunddal, Norway, built by Moelven Limtre AS, the Scandinavian construction products and systems industrial group. The building’s height of 84.5 metres, breaking all previous records for timber engineering, has attracted attention from all the international construction and architectural sectors. This unusual building has not only been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the “New York Design Award 2018”, but it also reflects a growing significance in the deployment of environmentally friendly building materials.

Impressive sustainability

This philosophy is very much embraced by Moelven Limtre AS, which aims to use renewable building materials capable of carbon sequestration in its projects wherever possible. Thus, the group chose timber for its Mjøstårnet project, committing itself to planting at least two new trees for each one felled in the project.

Bård S. Solem Environmental adviser and architect

“Use of timber for the support structures reduces emissions by up to 85%.”

Stable material offers considerable support

In addition to the fact that wood is the only truly renewable material that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, it is also extremely robust and stable. Timber possesses the singular ability to distribute the forces generated during an earthquake and stabilise the structure afterwards. As glued laminated timber is used so extensively in its construction, Mjøstårnet is very secure against fire and offers a very high load-bearing capacity. The consulting fire adviser Even Andersen confirmed that in the event of fire, glued laminated timber develops a protective carbon layer that limits the fire’s ability to spread, allowing it to die down.

Even Andersen Fire adviser

“The glued laminated timber panels are also so sizeable that in the event of fire they would maintain their structural integrity and support capabilities.”

Tower Sonnenuntergang_mjos_rev0Image credits go to Voll Architects AS — Due to the height of the building and the raw materials used, the particularly stable and robust WT-T elements were used as a fastening solution, ©Voll Architects AS

Collaborative partnership

The overall success of such a huge project depends on the working partnerships of all those involved. When SFS was consulted on suitable fastening solutions for the Mjøstårnet project, there began an intensive exchange among Moelven Limtre AS, the architects responsible and SFS. It was the height of the structure and the materials under consideration that led to the choice of the robust WT-T fixings as the most appropriate solution. SFS is proud to have been part of this sustainable construction project.

Contact & Services

Fredrik Malmberg

fredrik.malmberg@sfs.com