WoHo: Berlin's Tallest Timber Skyscraper Design Won by Mad Arkitekter

In January, Mad Arkitekter, based in Oslo, emerged victorious in the design competition for WoHo, a mixed-use tower set to be built in Berlin. This competition featured 14 submissions, which were narrowed down to six finalists, evaluated by representatives from Berlin state, the Kreuzberg district, industry specialists, and UTB Projektmanagement GmbH. The proposed design aims to create a vertical community for students, social care entities, low-income families, and businesses, located near Anhalter Bahnhof and Tempodrom. Standing at 98 meters with 29 floors, WoHo will exceed Norway's Mjøstårnet (85 m). The initiative aligns with Germany's post-2016 wood policy, utilizing a hybrid construction method with concrete in stairwells and basements. The first seven floors will house public amenities, while challenges include managing climate control and water usage. Future timber skyscrapers include Chicago's River Beech Tower (220 m) and Tokyo's Plyscraper W350i (350 m).