# Crosslam completes Brazil's tallest mass-timber tower - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/675a5454-76cb-43a8-b931-12ac29786910 ## Aurora 275 Architectural Milestone Engineering firm Crosslam has completed Aurora 275 in the Suzano area of São Paulo, Brazil. Standing 22 metres tall, this structure is currently recognized as the tallest hybrid mass-timber building in the country. The project serves as a physical demonstration of timber construction capabilities within the local Brazilian market. ## Hybrid Structural Engineering Design The building utilizes a complex hybrid structural system to ensure stability and performance. It features a reinforced concrete core combined with metal elements and mass-timber components, specifically glued-laminated timber beams and columns. This combination allows the structure to reach its height while maintaining the necessary safety and load-bearing requirements. ## Strategic Market Entry Motivation Founder José Alberto Corrêa initiated this project to overcome skepticism regarding timber construction in Brazil. By building their own facility, the company aimed to prove the viability of mass-timber methods to potential clients. They believed that establishing a tangible reference point was essential to gain the trust of the local construction industry. ## Rapid Construction Process Efficiency Efficiency was a primary goal, with the entire structure assembled in just four weeks. A small team of five people managed the assembly process, highlighting the speed advantages of industrialised timber construction. The wood used for the project was sourced domestically and produced directly within the company's own factory facilities. ## Interior and Exterior Aesthetics The building features 10 apartments, each equipped with private balconies. While the exterior is defined by a metal-clad facade with yellow detailing, the interior design prioritizes exposed cross-laminated timber floorplates and glulam beams. This design choice provides a warm aesthetic, contrasting with the industrial nature of the reinforced concrete core. ## Operational and Environmental Benefits Crosslam highlights several technical advantages of using engineered timber, including dimensional precision and reduced construction site waste. The project team notes that the lighter structure contributes to lower carbon emissions during the building process. Consequently, the company claims that the Aurora 275 building achieves a carbon-neutral status for its operations. ## Industrial Housing Production Potential The project serves as a prototype for future industrial-style housing production across Brazil. By demonstrating that mass-timber can be integrated into taller residential buildings, Crosslam hopes to shift local construction standards. The success of this assembly process suggests that similar methods could be scaled for larger developments in the future. ## Global Context of Timber Tall timber construction is currently gaining significant momentum in North America and Europe. While Brazil explores these methods with Aurora 275, the global record for the tallest timber structure is held by a project in Australia. This trend reflects a broader international shift toward sustainable, engineered wood solutions in urban architecture. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/11/12/brazil-tallest-timber-tower-crosslam-sao-paulo/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._