Hey Google, show me... how to build sustainably with wood!

Google announced yesterday, November 20, 2024, the opening of the first building constructed of solid wood in Sunnyvale, California, demonstrating that this natural material can revolutionize the construction industry. The building, named 1265 Borregas, is a concrete example of how wood can be used in modern construction, offering multiple benefits for both the environment and occupants.

Michelle Kaufmann, R+D Lab Director at Google, explains, "While wood construction is not new, industrialized (laminated) wood offers significant environmental benefits over traditional steel and concrete construction." This emphasizes wood's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over the lifetime of the building.

The environmental impact is impressive: the building is designed to have 96% less embodied carbon emissions than an equivalent steel and concrete structure, taking into account carbon sequestration over time. To ensure sustainability, all timber used in the construction comes from certified forests FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

The benefits of using solid wood also extend to the actual construction. Alexa Arena, senior director for real estate development at Google, points out that the "kit-of-parts" assembly technique allows faster and more efficient construction, with less site traffic, reduced noise and less waste.

But perhaps the most interesting aspect for the timber industry is the impact on occupant well-being. Biophile design - incorporating natural elements into the workspace - is emphasized by exposing natural wood throughout the building. "There is a simplicity and warmth to it. It helps calm our brains and promotes creativity," Kaufmann explains.

The 1265 Borregas building is not just an experiment in wood construction - it's all-electric, LEED Platinum certified, and equipped with solar panels on the roof. Plus, the area around the building includes pollinator-friendly plants.

Scott Foster, VP for Real Estate & Workplace Services at Google, concludes that this project demonstrates that sustainability, beauty and efficiency can go hand in hand, expressing his hope that solid wood will become a scalable industry-wide solution for a more sustainable future.

For the Wood Magazine community, this initiative by the tech giant is an important validation of the potential of wood in modern construction, demonstrating that traditional materials can be reinvented to meet the challenges of the 21st century.