HAUT Amsterdam

HAUT, a 21-story residential tower on the River Amstel in Amsterdam, is one of the tallest timber hybrids in the world. HAUT is a prototype for building innovative and environmentally-friendly high-rise timber structures. The development site of HAUT beside the River Amstel did not simply go to the highest bidder. In assessing offers, the municipality of Amsterdam also weighed both architectural quality and sustainability. The selected proposal is for a 21-story residential tower in timber, one of the tallest wooden structures in the world. The innovative project has helped putting timber back on the world map as a structural building material. SUSTAINABILITY – In contrast to concrete and steel, timber production causes no carbon emissions. Timber actually stores carbon. Moreover, timber is renewable if harvested from sustainable forestry production. HAUT is an example of innovative sustainability in other ways, too. The building is fitted with solar panels on the roof and façade, cooling is sourced from the ground, sensor-controlled thermostats adjust low-temperature floor heating and cooling, nesting boxes for birds and bats, charging points for shared electric cars, and a rooftop garden with rainwater storage. HYBRID TIMBER – The load-bearing structure of HAUT is made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels manufactured off-site, ensuring low waste production and fast, clean on-site assemblage. As there are no standard building regulations for high-rise timber construction, the design team has invested considerable time and energy in technical innovation and safety. Floors and walls are constructed in timber, but a structure made completely of timber in wet and windy Amsterdam would be impossible. Consequently, the foundations, basement and core are constructed in concrete. HAUTE ARCHITECTURE – A benefit of timber construction is that it offers a warm feel and allows for a high level of customisation, or bespoke ’haute architecture’. CLT panels are easily adaptable during prefabrication, offering first buyers options in the size and layout of their apartment, the number of floors, and the positioning of double-height spaces, galleries and balconies. Unlike most timber buildings, only the inner walls of HAUT are load-bearing, allowing for floor-to-ceiling windows in the façade. The irregular pattern of balconies and the pronounced, double-height spaces facing the River Amstel make HAUT’s architecture highly distinctive. Ever since Team V Architecture started on HAUT in 2016, they are advocating the use of mass timber in building design. This project helped to accelerate the shift from traditional construction in concrete and steel to timber as the more sustainable alternative. Since publishing HAUT’s design, Team V is asked to give lectures and join workshops on mass timber construction all over the world, from New Zealand to Canada. All four partners - Lingotto, Arup, J.P. van Eesteren and Team V – have become experts in complex timber hybrids towers, and regularly share their knowledge, to decision makers, engineers, designers, builders and students - the new generation.