Wooden buildings can last 500 years

USA Designed to withstand strong earthquakes and last for 500 years, ZGF Architects' PAE Living building is an example of sustainable design.

The PAE Living building can last for hundreds of years. Photo: Jamie Goodwick/Portland Drone

The PAE Living building is located in Portland, Oregon, in an old parking lot. Structurally, the building is composed of slatted and laminated timber, with only some places using concrete. Most buildings are built from wood and minimize the use of energy from the grid through technology such as photovoltaic cells.

The building area is up to nearly 5,400 m2, including 5 floors. The ground floor is for retail stores and a fitness center. The upper floors are used as office space. Similar to other modern wooden buildings, the interior decoration focuses on the natural beauty of wood and leaves.

According to ZGF Architects, PAE Living uses only 1/5 of the energy compared to a standard office building of the same size. The building is equipped with 133 kW solar panels on the roof and 215 kW on the outside, and has a two-way connection to the city's electricity grid. This allows the building to operate temporarily with exceptionally low power when disconnected from the grid, or 100 days without power from the grid in the summer.

All of the building's water needs are met through an on-site water collection and recycling system, which includes tanks with a volume of approximately 237,000 l of rainwater. The building also features a complex composting system that converts human waste into liquid fertilizer for on-site cultivation. In addition, more than 50% of the main work areas in the building are daylighted and 70% of the perimeter can be naturally ventilated by opening windows.

According to the company, PAE Living is designed and built for durability and adaptability to meet the needs of generations of users. In the next 12 months, the company will closely monitor the performance of the project and apply for official permits if it meets the requirements.