FUTURE WOOD

Wood as a building material is experiencing a renaissance and is increasingly becoming the epitome of 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 durable material that can also be used in large constructions such as high-rise buildings. Furthermore, wood is a renewable raw material that requires less energy in 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 in building with wood, such as specific fire protection regulations and the natural aging processes of wood, must be taken into account to guarantee the longevity of buildings. Nevertheless, wood is increasingly used for facades and exterior cladding for this very reason. The authentic and naturally aging appearance that results from weathering is often deliberately 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 on "Buildings in Timber Construction," the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management is promoting the "Increased 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 exclusively 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 infestations. The water absorption capacity of the wood is reduced, which minimizes swelling, cracking, and shrinkage. This makes thermally modified wood also suitable for use in various climatic conditions.

No chemicals are used in its production. It is therefore a sustainable choice for a natural aesthetic. Thermowood also impresses 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, in contrast to concrete and steel, causes significantly lower 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 increasingly being 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 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 the constant presence of construction waste, cement mixers, jackhammers, or trucks on site.” * Besides the ecological benefits, the aesthetic effect also plays an important role. Unlike concrete and steel, wood gives buildings a softer, more natural look, which is often perceived as more pleasant.

Through the use of wood, stronger connections to nature can also be created in the urban landscape. Wooden buildings can help to liven up the cityscape and invigorate 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, 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 terminal at Zurich Airport.
• In Vienna, Europe's first urban district constructed in timber construction is being developed with the Leopold Quarter.

The conclusion is: We are in the Age of Timber, as Oana Horx-Strathern states in the Home Report 2022: The technologies for timber construction are improving, and new laws, regulations, and subsidies for timber high-rise construction are slowly changing the cityscape towards more wood. The tendering of prestigious competitions for tall timber buildings is also leading to a higher recognition of innovative solutions – from the use of cardboard to modular construction – and further strengthens the trend towards building with wood.

*With thanks to the Zukunftsinstitut