Many common construction materials have a huge negative impact on the environment. Cement is the most energy-intensive of all manufacturing industries, relying heavily on coal, petroleum, and destructive open-pit mining processes, and steel production similarly releases a host of hazardous substances into the air and water. That’s why more and more architects are choosing to work with sustainably grown and harvested wood, even for tall buildings.

Tall timber structures are safer than you might think. Recent advancements in manufacturing and engineering have produced mass timber that performs just as well (or better) than steel or concrete, and successful fire tests have alleviated concerns about combustibility. In response, many cities around the world are changing their building codes to allow for super tall timber buildings. But sustainable architecture is much more than just “eco-friendly materials” and a few measures to save water and energy. Its design should also be holistic, looking at the building’s entire lifecycle and how it will impact its surrounding community. For “The Farmhouse,” Studio Precht developed a modular system “that investigates the connection of people with their food and creates a building that connects architecture with agriculture.”

The design is visually striking, with the geometric framework of the structure fully visible from outside. The individual triangular modules are stacked and capped wi...