Wood as a material in construction

🪵 Why Wood?

1. Natural Aesthetic

• Warm, tactile, and beautiful.

• Offers a range of textures, grains, and tones depending on the species.

• Creates a sense of comfort and calmness in interior and exterior spaces.

2. Sustainability

• Renewable and biodegradable (when sourced responsibly).

• Stores carbon, making it environmentally favorable compared to concrete and steel.

• FSC-certified or reclaimed wood enhances green credentials.

3. Versatility

• Can be used for structural (mass timber, glulam, CLT), finishing (panels, floors), and decorative purposes.

• Easily shaped, cut, and joined.

• Works well with other materials like glass, steel, and stone.

🏗️ Structural Applications

Mass Timber (like CLT and Glulam)

• Strong enough for mid- and even high-rise buildings (e.g., Mjøstårnet in Norway, 85.4 m).

• Prefabricated for efficiency.

• Seismically and thermally performant.

Traditional Timber Framing

• Seen in historical and vernacular architecture across the globe.

• Modern timber frame homes still use these principles, often exposed for visual appeal.

🔧 Pros of Using Wood

• Lightweight but strong.

• High thermal insulation (reduces energy costs).

• Quick and clean construction (especially prefab).

• Absorbs sound and regulates humidity.

⚠️ Cons and Challenges

• Susceptible to rot, termites, and moisture if not treated.

• Fire risk (though mass timber chars and self-insulates).

• Requires maintenance.

• Sourcing must be done responsibly to avoid deforestation.

🌍 Contemporary Wood Architecture Examples

• T3 Building (Minneapolis, USA) – One of the largest modern timber office buildings.

• The Smile (London, UK) – A curved CLT pavilion demonstrating wood’s flexibility.

• Tamedia Office Building (Zurich, Switzerland) – Designed by Shigeru Ban, all-wood load-bearing system.

🌱 Wood in Sustainable Architecture

• Integral to biophilic design – promoting well-being by connecting occupants to nature.

• Often paired with passive solar strategies and natural ventilation.

• Can be recycled or reused at end of life.