The Promise of Wooden Buildings: A Sustainable Future

Around the world, including Europe, the construction industry is increasingly turning to wooden buildings in its quest to reduce its environmental footprint. The primary concern in some regions remains fire safety, but significant strides are being made in addressing this issue.

Buildings exceeding 10 stories in height already grace the landscapes of Norway, Sweden, Canada, and even Australia. In most cases, a wooden superstructure is raised above 2-4 concrete floors.

It might seem excessive when you learn that approximately 3,500 cubic meters of timber are used in the frame of a single building. However, wooden construction plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and streamlining construction processes within the industry.

On average, the global steel, concrete, and aluminum industries contribute to around 8% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, the emissions linked to using wood as a building material are mainly associated with the equipment used in its processing and transportation.

Each of these wooden apartment buildings is poised to leave a 40% smaller carbon footprint, compared to an equivalent concrete and steel structure. To understand how this works, one must acknowledge that the production of steel and concrete results in substantial carbon emissions, while wood, in fact, sequesters carbon as it grows, serving as a natural carbon reservoir.

Nearly half of the dry mass of wood is carbon extracted from the atmosphere. For a long time, the construction industry faced challenges in securing supplies for such constructions. However, the emergence of numerous modular factories and modern wood-based materials, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), has significantly expedited and improved the supply chain.

Many developers and builders may be hesitant to embrace these new design processes because wooden construction currently costs approximately 10-15% more than steel and concrete. Nevertheless, forward-thinking individuals recognize this modern approach as a more efficient way to build. All components of a building can be designed and manufactured off-site, reducing the labor required at the construction site.

We will undoubtedly witness robots securing or assembling prefabricated elements and modules at construction sites in 3-5 years. Wood is the only widely adopted, genuinely eco-friendly building material we have. It retains its structural integrity in fires, with charring on the surface protecting the underlying structure.

Regulations for the upcoming years stipulate that many buildings in Europe must demonstrate a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to a 10% target. Additionally, wooden buildings have a positive impact on the psychological well-being of their occupants. The open wooden structure and the connection to nature can significantly reduce stress levels. Personally, I plan to live in a wooden home myself!