Designers DIALOG have officially filed for the patent of a proprietary system that could one day facilitate the construction of a mass timber tower of 100 storeys or more.

DIALOG first pitched the ideas of a supertall, net-zero, hybrid mass timber tower back in 2020. Fast Company magazine named the company’s prototype as one of the top "World Changing Ideas" of 2021.

The company says its filing for patents for its Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS) in Canada, the United States, the European Union, Australia and China is another tangible step toward making good on its promise to build a super-tall tower out of wood.

With post-tensioned steel cables encased in concrete bands and embedded into cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, the HTFS will allow for a 40-foot (or 12-metre) column-free span, where standard CLT design systems currently span just three-quarters of that distance.

The system also combines CLT panels with steel and concrete to build high rise-towers with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. When incorporated with other smart building technologies, such as photovoltaic panels, algae bioreactors, or other renewable energy solutions, towers as tall as 105-stories could achieve carbon neutrality.

"Floor plates typically comprise approximately 70 percent of building material utilized in high-rise towers," said Craig Applegath, DIALOG Partner, and one of the project's key leaders. “By focusing our talents and resources on creating more innovative floor plate solutions like this one, we believe that we can make a major dent in the environmental footprint of the built environment in the not-so-distant future.”

Once the patents are approved, the structural system will then require localized approvals to coincide with area code requirements around fire, health and life safety. DIALOG is working in partnership with global construction firm EllisDon to develop scaled panels for thorough structural testing.

"The hybrid panel presents a unique value proposition allowing for carbon sustainability, the ability for offsite prefabrication, and long-span exposed ceilings desired by many commercial tenants," said Mark Gaglione, director of building and material sciences with EllisDon. "We are excited to be working with DIALOG to help make this concept idea a reality as soon as possible."

In addition to the Fast Company award, the details of the hybrid floor system were recently published in a significant industry research paper by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats.