Wooden City

After visiting Melbourne, Australia earlier this year I noticed a growing trend for buildings seemingly made of wood. It had been a while since I’d visited and one of the big shopping centres in town, Melbourne Central (below) had been re-clad in planks of the stuff. It made the building look kind of heavy, like a massive crate. It looked okay. ¶ When I got back to London I noticed someone had erected an apartment block whose structure was entirely made of large sheets of tree stuck together. There is even a plaque outside the front door to let you know that is building is ‘made of wood’. ¶ Recently I checked out (on the internet highway) the City of Melbourne’s new building, ‘Council House 2 (CS2)’. Supposedly the greenest office building in the world (or something…). It’s clad in recycled timber (ie looks likes it’s made of wood). I started imagining whole future cities clad in bits of trees and nature, even skyscapers… the city as a living jungle. ¶ Meanwhile, across the Fitzroy Gardens and not entirely made of wood (was any wood involved? I dunno), the City of Melbourne have just financed and completed another new civic building, The East Melbourne Library. According to the [City of Melbourne website] “The temperature inside the library is controlled by a weather station on the roof and sensors inside the building. Air vents in the floor allow fresh air into the building and roof vents regulate the air flow. Rainwater is harvested for garden irrigation and flushing toilets. Light sensors switch off artificial lights when the natural light reaches a suitable level to save energy.” Essentially, a building that heats, cools and supplies it’s own water and looks good doing it. Makes you wonder why your own house seems so lazy.