FUTURE WOOD

Wood as a building material is experiencing a renaissance and is increasingly becoming synonymous with modern architecture and construction art. This is not only due to the many advantages that wood offers but also to the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. An excerpt from the Home Report 2022 by Oona Horx Strathern.

AGE OF TIMBER

The essential advantage of wood as a building material is its load-bearing capacity. Wood is a very stable and resilient material that can also be used in large constructions such as high-rise buildings. Moreover, wood is a renewable resource that requires less energy to produce compared to concrete or steel, making it more sustainable. Wood is particularly regarded as a healthy building material because it is breathable and can regulate moisture. Technical challenges when building with wood, such as specific fire safety regulations and natural aging processes of wood, must be considered to ensure the durability of the buildings. However, for this reason, wood is increasingly being used for façades and exterior claddings. The authentic and naturally aging appearance that results from weathering is often consciously used today to achieve an aesthetic effect. Despite these challenges, wood is considered the building material of the hour as it meets the needs for sustainability, health, and emotionality.

Politics is also catching up: With the funding focus "Buildings in timber construction," the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management also promotes the "Increased use of the raw material wood" as part of the Forest Fund.

THERMOWOOD

A trend in timber construction is the use of thermo wood. Wood that is modified and stabilized exclusively with heat and steam. Through heat treatment, a high decay resistance is achieved, making the wood suitable for use in outdoor and wet areas without being quickly damaged by fungal infestations. The water absorption capacity of the wood is reduced, which means it swells, cracks, and shrinks less. As a result, thermo wood is also suitable for use under various climatic conditions.

No chemicals are used in its production. It is therefore a sustainable choice for a natural aesthetic. Thermowood also excels in terms of thermal insulation and energy efficiency, which is particularly important in times of rising energy prices.

Wood is a renewable raw material and, unlike concrete and steel, produces significantly less CO2 emissions. In terms of waste disposal, wood is a more environmentally friendly material than concrete and steel, as it is lighter and easier to recycle.

WOOD IN THE CITY

Wood as a building material is also increasingly used in urban environments.

Andrew Waugh, founding partner of the London architectural firm Waugh Thistleton Architects, who has worked with prefabricated CLT panels for over 20 years, sees significant advantages in building with wood materials to minimize disturbances from construction sites in the urban environment: “CLT construction sites are clean, quiet, and dry, without constant construction waste, cement mixers, jackhammers, or trucks appearing on site.” * In addition to the ecological benefits, the aesthetic effect also plays an important role. In contrast to concrete and steel, wood gives buildings a softer, more natural appearance that is often perceived as more pleasant.

Through the use of wood, stronger connections to nature can also be created in urban landscapes. Wooden buildings can help to loosen up the urban appearance and enliven the architecture.

Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more architects and urban planners are using wood as a building material in their projects – not just for buildings or residential houses but also for large, complex, and innovative constructions.

There are now many impressive examples of the use of wood in architecture around the world.

• The contribution of the Czech Republic at Expo 2025 in Osaka is presented as a wooden pavilion, also known as the Kloboucká lesní Headquarters – two projects by the Czech architectural firm möjlk architekti.
• Mjøstårnet, in Brumunddal, Norway, 85.4 meters tall, is made entirely of wood.
• The Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM) in Eskisehir, Turkey, consists of three separate but interconnected wooden buildings.
• The BIG Bjarke Ingels Group has delivered the design for the project of the new terminals at Zurich Airport.
• In Vienna, Europe's first urban district built in timber construction is being developed with the Leopold Quarter.

The conclusion is as follows: We are in the Age of Timber, as Oana Horx-Strathern captures in the Home Report 2022: The technologies for timber construction are improving, and new laws, regulations, and subsidies for wooden high-rise buildings are slowly changing the urban landscape towards more wood. The announcement of prestigious competitions for high wooden buildings also leads to greater recognition for innovative solutions – from the use of corrugated cardboard to modular construction – and further reinforces the trend towards building with wood.

*With thanks to the Zukunftsinstitut