🪵 Why Wood?
1. Natural Aesthetic
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Warm, tactile, and beautiful.
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Offers a range of textures, grains, and tones depending on the species.
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Creates a sense of comfort and calmness in interior and exterior spaces.
2. Sustainability
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Renewable and biodegradable (when sourced responsibly).
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Stores carbon, making it environmentally favorable compared to concrete and steel.
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FSC-certified or reclaimed wood enhances green credentials.
3. Versatility
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Can be used for structural (mass timber, glulam, CLT), finishing (panels, floors), and decorative purposes.
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Easily shaped, cut, and joined.
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Works well with other materials like glass, steel, and stone.
🏗️ Structural Applications
Mass Timber (like CLT and Glulam)
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Strong enough for mid- and even high-rise buildings (e.g., Mjøstårnet in Norway, 85.4 m).
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Prefabricated for efficiency.
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Seismically and thermally performant.
Traditional Timber Framing
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Seen in historical and vernacular architecture across the globe.
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Modern timber frame homes still use these principles, often exposed for visual appeal.
🔧 Pros of Using Wood
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Lightweight but strong.
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High thermal insulation (reduces energy costs).
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Quick and clean construction (especially prefab).
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Absorbs sound and regulates humidity.
⚠️ Cons and Challenges
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Susceptible to rot, termites, and moisture if not treated.
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Fire risk (though mass timber chars and self-insulates).
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Requires maintenance.
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Sourcing must be done responsibly to avoid deforestation.
🌍 Contemporary Wood Architecture Examples
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T3 Building (Minneapolis, USA) – One of the largest modern timber office buildings.
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The Smile (London, UK) – A curved CLT pavilion demonstrating wood’s flexibility.
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Tamedia Office Building (Zurich, Switzerland) – Designed by Shigeru Ban, all-wood load-bearing system.
🌱 Wood in Sustainable Architecture
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Integral to biophilic design – promoting well-being by connecting occupants to nature.
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Often paired with passive solar strategies and natural ventilation.
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Can be recycled or reused at end of life.
