Standing at 50 meters tall, the Wood Up tower is one of Europe’s most ambitious examples of vertical timber construction. Located in the evolving Paris Rive Gauche district, the project consists of a commercial ground level, 132 residential units, and a variety of communal spaces, all connected through a network of outdoor walkways. Awarded the BBCA (Bâtiment Bas Carbone) label for low-carbon building, the tower is a statement of architectural and environmental innovation. It explores how timber can serve not only as a structural material but also as a catalyst for spatial and social transformation, responding simultaneously to the demands of dense urban development and the need for sustainable living models.
Connecting structure to context through material logic
Rooted in the large-scale urban vision for the Masséna-Bruneseau sector, Wood Up plays a pivotal role in redefining a transitional area between Paris and Ivry. Its design navigates complex constraints—transport infrastructure, proximity to the Seine, and varying topography—by transforming them into opportunities for architectural expression. The building helps to reweave the urban fabric by integrating different elevation levels and creating permeability across the site. Generous spacing between volumes, the lack of obstruction to the north, and careful massing along the east-west axis allow the tower to harmonize with bridges, the ring road, and the open spaces flanking the Seine. From different distances, the tower shifts in perception—up close it reads as tactile and finely crafted, while from afar it becomes a distinctive urban marker. The architectural gesture is as much about framing views and shaping movement as it is about material innovation.
The structural system further expresses this connection to place and purpose. Wood Up rests on a concrete base and core, providing seismic stability and anchoring the tower to its foundation. Rising from this base is a glulam post-and-beam system, complemented by a secondary framework of glulam beams and hybrid wood-concrete floor slabs. Every wood species used in the structure is selected for its specific performance qualities. Beech, a dense hardwood, is used for the interior posts due to its superior compression resistance, allowing for efficient use of vertical space. Spruce, lighter and more flexible, is used for interior beams where bending strength is critical. Douglas fir, with its Class 3 humidity resistance, is used for exterior posts and cladding elements. All timber is sourced from French forests and transported via the Seine river, reducing emissions and reinforcing the project’s commitment to regional sourcing.
Rethinking housing through sustainable and collective living
Beyond structure, Wood Up is a redefinition of urban housing. Its residential program is conceived to provide the benefits of single-family living—privacy, private outdoor space, independence, and a strong sensory connection to the environment—within a shared building. Designed to foster social interaction while preserving individual comfort, the building balances personal space with shared amenities, including over 1,700 square meters of outdoor areas. Among these, 800 square meters are dedicated to private terraces, while 500 square meters are designated as communal gathering spaces for all residents.
The crown jewel of the shared program is the 300-square-meter terrace on the eighth floor, a flexible platform designed to host both daily activities and organized events. Measuring 23 by 10 meters, the space is comparable in scale to a tennis court or a concert hall, and can accommodate up to 300 people. Designed as a hybrid between a courtyard, a loggia, and a belvedere, the terrace is a social node and a spatial interlude within the vertical rhythm of the tower. Modular furniture made from construction offcuts serves both functional and symbolic roles, reinforcing a circular use of materials and creating a link between the building's construction process and its daily life.
The interior layouts further reflect this layered approach to living. The tower is organized with alternating levels of larger family apartments—ranging from T3 to T5—and levels containing more compact T1 and T2 units. Duplex apartments are placed at the corners to optimize spatial variety and views. This system enables a flexible and repetitive layout that allows for vertical evolution over time, with the potential for different combinations of housing types. The result is a community that is spatially diverse, adaptable, and reflective of different needs.
Designing for carbon performance and material reuse
The project’s BBCA certification reflects an integrated strategy to reduce both operational and embodied carbon. This is achieved not only through the extensive use of timber but also through its sourcing, transport, and transformation. By using river transport for all timber components, the project minimizes the emissions typically associated with material logistics. Construction waste is not treated as surplus but as opportunity: all wood offcuts from fabrication and assembly are reused to produce custom furniture for shared spaces.
