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 structures like high-rise buildings. Additionally, wood is a renewable resource that, in contrast to concrete or steel, requires less energy in production and is therefore considered more sustainable. Wood is particularly regarded as a healthy building material because it is breathable and can regulate humidity. 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. Nevertheless, wood is increasingly being used for facades and cladding. The authentic and naturally aging appearance created by weathering is often intentionally utilized today to achieve an aesthetic effect. Despite these challenges, wood is considered the building 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 Wooden Construction," the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management is also promoting the "Increased Use of the Raw Material Wood" as part of the Forest Fund.

THERMAL WOOD

A trend in timber construction is the use of thermally modified wood. Wood that is exclusively modified and stabilized with heat and steam. The heat treatment achieves 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, making it swell, crack, and shrink less. This makes thermally modified wood 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 an important factor, especially in times of rising energy prices.

Wood is a renewable raw material and causes significantly less CO2 emissions compared to concrete and steel. Regarding 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 architectural firm Waugh Thistleton Architects, who has worked with prefabricated CLT panels for over 20 years, sees great advantages in building with wood materials to minimize disruptions 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 the site.” * In addition to the ecological benefits, the aesthetic effect also plays an important role. Unlike concrete and steel, wooden buildings provide a softer, more natural appearance, which 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 enliven the cityscape and enhance 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 will be presented as a wooden pavilion or 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 delivered 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 created with the Leopold Quarter.

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

*With thanks to the Zukunftsinstitut