Skip to content

Are timber skyscrapers the future?

July 31, 2026 · 36 min

Show notes

Is building tall with timber more than an architectural gimmick? Why is a new robotic hand a big step towards sci-fi becoming reality? And what's special about Dezeen's editor's new tattoo?

In this episode, Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft and features editor Nat Barker discuss the world's tallest hybrid timber tower, which recently topped out in Sydney. To read more about mass timber buildings, check out our Timber Revolution series.

Next, we hear a conversation between Nat and design editor Jennifer Hahn about the announcement from 1X Technologies that it has developed a hand for its humanoid robot that has human-level dexterity.

Finally, Tom tells us about his new tattoo, which was inked with a world-first pain-free method devised by a London start-up.

Dezeen Weekly artwork is by Simon Volt. Editing is by Miguel Santa Clara.

All episodes of Dezeen Weekly

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.