Europe has become a testing ground for innovative mass timber architecture, driven by policy, public support for sustainability, and a cultural shift toward renewable materials. For builders in the United States, these high-rise projects offer valuable technical lessons and design inspiration, demonstrating how hardwoods and engineered wood composites can shape not only buildings but entire city skylines.

Below are four of our favorite examples, structures that we believe forecast the future of mass timber builds.

1. Mjøstårnet, Brumunddal, Norway: Standing at 280 feet with 18 stories, Mjøstårnet is the world’s tallest all-timber building (recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, or CTBUH). It combines multiple elements — including a hotel, apartments, offices, and public rooftop — and uses locally sourced glued-laminated (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) components. The project shows that tall, sustainable buildings can be constructed with local materials and expertise, and has become a global reference point in the mass timber discussion.
2. HoHo Wien, Vienna, Austria: HoHo Wien’s 24 stories rise 276 feet in the air, housing a hotel, health club, and a variety of shops and services. Utilizing a timber-concrete hybrid system, the building’s concrete core provides structural stability, while about 75% of its floors, walls, and facades are made of wood. The interior features removable partitions to support flexibility, with timber left exposed to highlight its tactile qualities. Upon its completion, HoHo Wien earned LEED Gold certification.
3. HAUT, Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam’s HAUT is a 21-story, 240-foot-high residential tower combining timber and concrete in a hybrid design. Built with more than 70,000 cubic feet of timber, the building stores around 1,800 tons of CO₂, and it generates enough energy, thanks to its energy-positive exterior, to supply all of HAUT’s electricity — just two of the features that earned it a BREEAM-NL Outstanding certification in 2023.
4. Press House, London, United Kingdom: Press House in London is a nine-story CLT-and-concrete residence partially clad in brick and reaching just over 100 feet in height. Built to London Plan development standards, this high-density housing solution demonstrates how mass timber can be scaled in cities with strict regulations and complex building codes. 

What’s Driving Europe’s Timber Growth?

Many European countries offer incentives, subsidies, and building codes that encourage the use of biobased materials. This has helped to move timber from niche to mainstream in urban construction, often becoming part of planning mandates. In Scandinavia, for example, timber is integrated into climate goals and public procurement strategies. The European public’s expectations for carbon neutrality and circular material use, coupled with the continent’s extensive forests and long-standing tradition of wood construction, are further solidifying mass timber as a premier architectural and ecological choice.

Additionally, advancements in engineered wood technology are making mass timber viable for high-rise construction. Engineered wood products such as CLT and glulam offer high strength-to-weight ratios and predictable behavior under load, enabling tall spans and consistent structural performance.

Mass Timber Is Building the Future

Europe’s tall timber accomplishments serve as more than just curiosities — they actively showcase the future of the built environment. For American architects and builders seeking reassurance and inspiration, these examples are proof that high-rise structures that embody elegance and sustainability are viable, even amid the steel and concrete of our modern cities.

To explore mass timber possibilities for your next project, contact our team at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes. We’re excited by the opportunities mass timber presents to the US market and are ready to help you achieve your architectural and development goals.