ArchDaily’s Monthly Topic: The Future of Wood in Architecture

The Future of Wood in Architecture. A selection of articles, interviews and projects. [View it in your browser]( Monthly Topic: The Future of Wood in Architecture As one of the world’s most ancient construction materials and one of the most widely used ones around the world today, wood has long played a key role in the history of architecture. Centuries ago, large-scale cathedrals in Europe were built entirely of wood. In Japan, architects redefined the way people use the material with the introduction of carbonized wood and its intricate craftsmanship. Today, as architects began shifting towards alternative construction materials that cater to the people and environment, wood has resurfaced as a strong contender amongst all structural materials and finishes. From exploring the prospects of using wood in its natural form, to how modern technologies are transforming its potential, we have compiled a selection of articles and project round ups that explore the past, present, and future of wood in architecture. [SEE MORE »]( Rethinking the Roles of Small-Scale Informal Wood Industries in Tropical Africa Tropical Africa boasts vast forests that cover 3.6 million square kilometers of land in West, East, and Central Africa. These forests provide valuable timber resources that significantly impact sectors, such as the furniture, fuel, and paper industries. However, interestingly, timber is seemingly absent in the contemporary architecture of the countries in this region. While architectural taste plays a role, the main reasons for this absence can be attributed to the wood industries' inability to meet the requirements of availability, affordability, aesthetic appeal, durability, and climatic and structural performance of timber. The wood industry in tropical Africa is mainly composed of informal and small-scale operations, focused primarily on sawing logs rather than refining wood for architectural or structural purposes. Despite this, the large number of informal enterprises in the region presents an opportunity to reshape the wood industry and utilize the local forestry resources to construct timber buildings. [Read More »]( From Tradition to Innovation: How Modern Technologies are Transforming the Potential of Wood Wood, one of the oldest building materials, has been continuously reinvented throughout history. As contemporary architecture becomes more and more concerned with sustainability and environmental responsibility, the popularity of the material has also increased. As trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, their wood stores that carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere. The materials derived from wood are thus associated with less greenhouse gas emissions on the condition of trees being harvested from sustainably managed forests. But in order to capture the full potential of this material, a plethora of techniques and modifications have evolved with the purpose of adapting and customizing wood’s characteristics to the demands of modern design and construction. From thermal modification to engineered wood or versatile particle boards, these methods not only enhance wood’s suitability for the rigors of contemporary architecture but also expand the usability of this sustainable material to an unprecedented scale. [Read More »]( Wooden Surfaces in Brazilian Homes: Exploring Patterns and Textures Almost half of Brazil is covered in forest, producing nearly 150 million cubic meters a year. Thanks to the large country’s wide range of tree species, Brazilian designers looking for natural, locally sourced materials have a lot of wood to choose from. Unsurprisingly, wood is a common feature in both traditional and contemporary Brazilian homes, both in construction and when creating decorative surfaces. [Read More »]( Is Wood the Sustainable Solution for the Middle East? As we understand it today, the sustainable architecture movement began to take shape at the end of the 20th century. Essentially, it responds to growing concerns about environmental degradation, energy consumption, and resource scarcity. In this global discourse on sustainable architecture, wood has long been celebrated as a symbol of environmental consciousness and decarbonization. As one of the most widespread building materials, it has gained popularity with the rise of this movement. This is because trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, which stays in the wood during its construction use, keeping it out of the atmosphere. [Read More »]( Timber Skyscrapers: A Low-Carbon Typology for the 21st Century Wood, an age-old building material, has left its mark on the history of architecture. Structures like townhouses and ancient cathedrals have seen usage and innovation with wood as a primary material. As technology evolves and urban landscapes grow skyward, wood has emerged as a strong contender to steel and concrete in the area of skyscraper design. Recent advances in engineering, materials science, construction techniques have welcomed a new era of experimentation, enabling the construction of timber skyscrapers across the world. Timber skyscrapers signify a departure from traditional construction methods, seamlessly blending aesthetics, functionality, and ecological consciousness. Wood as a material, with its inherent strength and impressive fire resistance, presents hope to an industry in pursuit of a more sustainable future. [Read More »]( ArchDaily’s upcoming monthly topics: -Decarbonize Architecture -Year in Review If you’d like to submit content related to these themes, send us a [message](. Follow Us: [ArchDaily Twitter]( [ArchDaily Instagram]( [ArchDaily Pinterest]( [ArchDaily Youtube]( [ArchDaily Facebook]( [Unsubscribe / Update Preferences]( [Privacy Policy]( [Contact us](mailto:support@archdaily.com) [Unsubscribe / Update Preferences]( [Privacy Policy]( [Contact us](mailto:support@archdaily.com) [ArchDaily logo] © All rights reserved. ArchDaily Part of DAAily Platforms AG 2023. Seehofstrasse 16, 8008 Zürich Switzerland. This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( ArchDaily Part of DAAily Platforms AG 2023 · Seehofstrasse 16, · Zürich 8008 · Switzerland