NEW SKYSCRAPER PLANS "WOOD" MAKE A DIFFERENCE

"The main reason it hasn't been done before is that concrete and steel have a big part of the market," said C. F. Møller architect Ola Jonsson. "But now the building industry has started taking responsibility for the environment. Construction accounts for around 30-40 percent of CO2 produced in the world globally and if you look at the CO2 released in the production of wood it is a lot better than steel or concrete."

According to Jonsson, using wood could even be a cheaper alternative, as it is a lighter material that costs far less to transport. It is also more fire-resistant than steel or concrete.

"We have a long history of building wooden structures in Sweden," he explains. "We have a higher knowledge of how to use the wood these days and we know that glued or nailed wood does have very strong construction qualities."

Wooden pillars, beams, walls, ceilings and window frames will all be visible through the building's glass facade. The presented designs also include a concrete core, although Jonsson says this could be replaced with wood. "We believe a modern building should use every material for its best purpose," he adds.

Each apartment within the building will have an energy-saving, glass-covered veranda, while the building will be powered by solar panels on the roof.

All three shortlisted proposals are available to view and vote on, on HSB Stockholm’s Facebook page.