Seoul unveils a test building for Korea's first mass timber apartments

The 108-square-meter (about 1,160 sq ft) mockup lets the team check the timber structure and installation accuracy at full scale before the main build, the Financial News reported. Contractor Bomi Construction plans furnace tests of the timber's fire resistance plus checks of window airtightness and sound insulation, Yonhap reported. The acoustic and fire testing is being done with research bodies including the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology.

The 5,097-square-meter site in Jongam-dong is being redeveloped by a residents' union under Korea's small-scale street housing program. Gansam Architects designed the timber units with cross-laminated timber panels in a load-bearing wall layout, covered with two to three layers of fire-rated gypsum board. All 130 units get exterior insulation and passive-house detailing. Union head Lee Won-hyung told the Financial News he settled on mass timber in late 2020 after weighing modular and other off-site methods, citing the quality and safety risks he sees in reinforced concrete.

Koo Ja-kyun of Gansam said results from the test building will feed the detailed design for the main works. Yonhap reported that the timber cuts carbon emissions by more than 60% compared with reinforced concrete. Eight of the 18 timber units go to union members and 10 go on public sale in May 2027. Completion is scheduled for June 2028.