London opens the world’s first building built entirely from wood Paradise SE11 has opened in Vauxhall, London, as the first fully mass‑timber office block built entirely from wood. The six‑story building is considered the UK’s lowest‑carbon office structure. It was constructed on the site of a former Costa Coffee factory, near Waterloo Station and adjacent to a public park. Its main framework consists of massive timber columns and exposed ceilings that enhance the building’s natural beauty and calm acoustics. The structure can be completely dismantled and recycled at the end of its life cycle, supporting the principles of a circular economy. It is estimated that the building has avoided around 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the construction of 24 homes. Bywater Properties stated that the presence of timber “creates a different atmosphere – the scent, the sound, and a sense of tranquility.” Despite certain insurance challenges linked to moisture and fire risks, the company regarded these as “manageable.” This project is part of a growing wave of timber buildings that are making London greener and fostering a closer connection with nature. The building stands as a hopeful example of how timber construction could become the new standard in urban development.