Rethinking timber buildings
The construction sector is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions, 50% of all extracted materials, and 35% of waste generated. Despite their recognized climate and carbon removal benefits, widespread adoption of wood materials in the construction sector remains slow. The European TIMBERHAUS project, co-funded by the EU and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for four years, seeks to accelerate the uptake of wood in construction by harnessing the potential of currently under-used hardwood species and post-consumer wood to create sustainable, high-performance construction products and designs, and enable more efficient use of forest resources.
“We are very inefficient in our use of forest resources when it comes to construction products. About 50% of European forests are made up of hardwood species but they make up less than 5% of commercial wood construction products. The wood construction value chain is based on a few softwood species, which makes it inefficient and vulnerable. In TIMBERHAUS, we try to tackle this challenge to increase the sustainable use of wood construction”, says project coordinator Anders Kjellow from the Danish Technological Institute (DTI).
Prototypes to demonstrate potential
Empa researchers will use digital tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop innovative prototypes that demonstrate the potential of under-used wood resources in construction. These include engineered wood products designed for load-bearing structures in multi-story buildings, as well as flooring solutions that incorporate hardwoods and post-consumer wood. “The prototypes will serve as practical examples of how we can use a wider range of wood resources effectively. We aim to provide the construction sector with viable, high-performance products that meet current building standards while promoting circular economy principles and supporting Europe's climate goals”, states Empa scientist Mark Schubert.
Beyond technological innovations
TIMBERHAUS closely aligns with the New European Bauhaus initiative, integrating sustainability with aesthetic and social values. The project will develop wood-building blueprints that enhance human health and well-being while incorporating local cultural traditions and design languages. These designs will be co-created with stakeholders in partner cities Berlin, Baia Mare in Romania, and Siena, ensuring they meet local needs and preferences.
“Our approach in TIMBERHAUS goes beyond just using wood as a sustainable material. We're designing living spaces that improve human health and well-being. By combining traditional woodworking techniques with modern design principles, we're creating buildings that not only reduce carbon emissions but also provide comfortable, healthy, and culturally rich environments for people to live and work in”, says Kirsten Haggart of Waugh Thistleton Architects, a London-based architectural firm specializing in engineered timber and recognized as a pioneer in the field of tall timber buildings.
