One of the world’s tallest wooden apartment blocks will be built in Paris

The Tour Wood’up, which will be 50 metres tall and house 105 apartments in the 13th arrondissement, will debut in 2021. 

The development, brought forward by property developers REI Habitat, was proclaimed one of 12 winning entries to the national competition launched by AdivBois, the foremost Quango that pushes for the use of wood in modern architecture, concluded on September 12.

The 17-story building will contain 105 apartments and will lie on the banks of the Seine in the 13th arrondissement. The interior structure will be a mix of wood, concrete and steel, while the facade will be entirely wood and glass. The location and height of the building mean it will be visible from the peripherique. 

What’s more, future residents will work with artisan carpenters at communal workshops over the next four years to design the interior of the building. Some apartments will have terraces up to 40 m2.

Tour Wood’up © REI Habitat

The 8th floor will be a common area with panoramic views of the city, as well as common dining areas, a laundromat, as well as flexible events spaces the designers hope will facilitate shared experiences between the participants. The dream of a tower block where people speak to each other is attainable, it seems.

LAN Architecture helped design the building, and REI Habitat also wished to thank the following organisations for their involvement in Tour Wood’up‘s development: La Compagnie de Phalsbourg, Georges, ReMake Maitre Cube, Elioth, EQO Ingénierie, Piveteau Bois Lamoureux acoustics, Sintéo, APAVE, Casso & Associés Earnest, Arkose.

Two other winning projects will now undergoing planning permission to be built in Paris. Close by, La Tour Commune, a student dorms building, is to be built by Bouygues Immobilier, while the Casa Jenga will be a quirky apartment building by the Port Vanves metro in the 14th arrondissement.

See a slideshow of all the national winners here.

image © REI Habitat