FUTURE WOOD

Wood as a building material is experiencing a renaissance and is increasingly becoming the epitome of modern architecture and construction. This is not only due to the many advantages that wood offers, but also because of 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 durable material that can also be used in large constructions such as high-rise buildings. Moreover, wood is a renewable resource that requires less energy for production 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 protection regulations and the natural aging processes of wood, must be taken into account to ensure the longevity of the buildings. However, for this very reason, wood is increasingly being used for facades and exterior cladding. The authentic and naturally aging appearance that results from weathering is often consciously utilized today to achieve an aesthetic effect. Despite these challenges, wood is considered the material of the moment 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 is also promoting the "Enhanced Use of the Raw Material Wood" as part of the Forest Fund.

THERMOWOOD

One trend in timber construction is the use of thermally modified wood. Wood that is modified and stabilized solely with heat and steam. The heat treatment achieves a high resistance to decay, making the wood suitable for use in outdoor and wet areas without being quickly damaged by fungal infestation. The water absorption capacity of the wood is reduced, leading to less swelling, splitting, and shrinkage. Therefore, thermally modified 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. Thermally modified wood also impresses in terms of thermal insulation and energy efficiency, which is especially an important factor in times of rising energy prices.

Wood is a renewable raw material and, unlike concrete and steel, causes significantly less CO2 emissions. In terms of waste disposal, wood is a more environmentally friendly material than concrete and steel, as it is easier and simpler 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 architecture firm Waugh Thistleton Architects, who has been working with prefabricated CLT panels for over 20 years, sees great 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, concrete mixers, jackhammers, or trucks appearing on site.” * In addition to the ecological benefits, the aesthetic effect also plays an important role. Unlike 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 contribute to lightening the cityscape and enlivening 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 only 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 worldwide.

• The contribution of the Czech Republic at Expo 2025 in Osaka presents itself as a wooden pavilion or also the Kloboucká lesní Headquarters – two projects by the Czech architectural firm möjlk architekti.
• Mjøstårnet, in Brumunddal, Norway, 85.4 meters high, 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 provided the design for the project of the new terminal at Zurich Airport.
• In Vienna, Europe's first urban district built in timber construction is being developed with the Leopold Quarter.

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

*With thanks to the Zukunftsinstitut