Crosslam Debuts Brazil's Tallest Hybrid Timber Tower in Sao Paulo
Engineering firm Crosslam has completed Aurora 275, a 22-meter-tall hybrid structure in Sao Paulo that currently stands as the tallest mass-timber building in Brazil. According to Dezeen, the project serves as a technical demonstration intended to build market trust in engineered wood construction for high-density residential housing throughout the country.
Context from Industry Pulse
The completion of Aurora 275 aligns with a broader global movement toward tall timber construction, which has seen significant progress in Europe, North America, and Australia. As Dezeen notes, the world's current tallest timber structure recently topped out in Australia. In Brazil, Crosslam is positioning mass timber as a solution for industrializing housing production. The use of glulam and cross-laminated timber allows for faster assembly times and lower carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete. This project specifically addresses local market hesitation by utilizing domestically sourced wood and a localized manufacturing process to demonstrate that the high-performance material is a viable alternative for the regional construction industry.
Located in the Suzano district of Sao Paulo, Aurora 275 utilizes a hybrid structural system to achieve its record-breaking height. As Dezeen reports, the design integrates a reinforced concrete core and metal components with mass-timber elements, including glulam beams and columns. The project features ten apartments, each equipped with private balconies that extend outward from the central core. While the exterior is largely defined by a metal-clad facade with yellow accents, timber is visible on the balcony undersides and throughout the interior spaces.
Crosslam acted as both the engineer and developer for the project to prove the feasibility of the material within the Brazilian market. The company founder told Dezeen that the firm chose to build its own tower because local stakeholders were initially skeptical that such a timber-based structure was possible. By managing the design and construction internally, the firm aimed to showcase how engineered wood can be used for industrial-style housing production.
Efficiency was a primary focus during the development phase. According to Dezeen, a team of five people completed the assembly of the building in just four weeks. The timber used for the floorplates and structural beams was manufactured in the company's own factory using wood sourced entirely from Brazil. This localized supply chain and rapid assembly process are highlights of the firm's push toward more industrialized construction methods.
Beyond speed, the project team emphasized the environmental and technical advantages of mass timber to Dezeen. The structure is reportedly carbon neutral and offers benefits such as dimensional precision and a significant reduction in construction site waste. Because timber is lighter than traditional materials, it also allows for a more efficient building performance. The completion of Aurora 275 marks a shift for the Brazilian construction sector, which has traditionally relied on more carbon-intensive methods.
The Industry Pulse Bottom Line
Crosslam’s hybrid tower proves that mass timber can compete with traditional Brazilian construction on speed and sustainability. By achieving carbon neutrality and rapid four-week assembly, the project sets a new benchmark for domestic high-rise housing production.