Timber construction is on the rise. Following tall timber projects slated for Vancouver, Paris and London, Sou Fujimoto Architects and Laisné Roussel have proposed a new tall timber development for Bordeaux, France. Dubbed Canopia, it features a cluster of four mixed-use timber towers linked by rooftop walkways.
Proposed for Bordeaux's Gare Saint Jean neighborhood, Canopia would be located in a 17,000 sq m (182,986 sq ft) plot and comprise four buildings, with the tallest rising to 50 m (164 ft), making it one of the tallest modern wooden structures in the world.
Canopia's terraced areas and ample greenery brings to mind Laisné Roussel's previous Offices with Terraces (the firm recently changed its name). Canopia is more architecturally ambitious though, and calls for a series of rooftop gardens, which would be linked by rooftop walkways. The interior would be split between 199 homes, 3,770 sq m (40,579 sq ft) of office space and 500 sq m (5,381 sq ft) of retail.
Canopia would be constructed using silver fir and spruce beams, with cross-laminated timber floors and glulam (glued laminated timber) beams supporting the structure – a method we've previously covered in detail.
The project remains a proposal at present but should it get the green light, Fujimoto Architects and Laisné Roussel will aim for BREEAM certification (a green building standard) for the office spaces.
Sources: Sou Fujimoto Architects, Laisné Roussel via Arch Daily
