The World’s Largest Timber Buildings

The use of timber and wood in construction is an age-old method, and something that we still regularly see today, in the form of timber cladding and other features. Timber is extremely versatile, in that it can be used in many different colours, styles and shapes, to perfectly execute the design that is required for the building. Due to this, there are a number of amazing buildings across the world that have used timber in their construction, so we are going to look at some of the largest and tallest timber and wood structures in the world.

Structure: The Great Eastern Temple (Tōdai-ji)

Location: Nara Prefecture, Japan

Size: 57 metres long, 50 metres high

Tōdai-ji was founded by Emperor Shōmu, the 45th Emperor of Japan. This building is most well known for being the home of the largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana that exists in the world! This marvellous structure was constructed in the early 8th century, which really gives credit to the use of timber in construction – as you can see, this building is still stunning to look at.

Structure: The Sanctuary of Truth

Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Size: 105 metres high, 2115 square metres of indoor space

Another stunning wooden structure in SouthEast Asia is the Sanctuary of Truth in Thailand. This building is still under construction today, since it began in 1981. This structure, that is made entirely of wood, is actually a museum, but it is not expected to be fully completed until at least 2025. Some visitors are permitted to enter, but you must be equipped with a hard hat.

Structure: Mühlacker Radio Transmitter

Location: Mühlacker, Germany

Size: 190 metres tall

This dated image that you see is the Mühlacker Radio Transmitter. Granted, this structure no longer exists, however, just for it’s sheer magnitude, we had to include it in our list. The transmitter holds the record for being the tallest wooden structure ever, standing at an incredible 190m tall. The structure was demolished in 1945, but it’s certainly something to marvel at.

Structure: Gliwice Radio Tower

Location: Gliwice, Poland

Size: 118 metres tall

Here you can see another radio tower, this time in Poland. The Gliwice Radio Tower, or the Silesian Eiffel Tower as it’s known by locals, stands at 118m tall, so not quite as tall as the previous, but still pretty outstanding! This tower is built from impregnated larch.

Structure: Saint Peter’s Church

Location: Riga, Latvia

Size: 123 metres tall

St. Peter’s Church is a Lutheran Church, in the capital city of Latvia. Standing at 123m at its tallest point, it definitely qualifies as one of the largest wooden buildings on the planet. In the past, this church has actually been taller than it’s current height. In 1491, there was a steeple added to the Church that made it 136 metres tall, 13 metres higher than currently. This steeple unfortunately collapsed in 1666, destroying a neighbouring building and burying 8 people with the debris.

Structure: Mjøstårnet

Location: Brumunddal, Norway

Size: 85.4 metres tall

Although some of the aforementioned buildings in this article are taller than Mjøstårnet, this building holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest wooden building, so we had to include it in our article! My assumption is for whatever reason, the other buildings do not meet the criteria for the world record, but this staggering building is 18 stories, and stands just over 85 metres, so it is certainly a spectacle to admire.