Wood has played a key role in the history of architecture by adding warmth, versatility, and sustainability to buildings. Today, its use is experiencing a renewed interest, driven both by technological advancements brought about by the use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and by growing environmental awareness.
The following list is an index of articles, news, and projects published on ArchDaily that cover everything you need to know about the use of wood in architecture, from design strategies and the latest trends to its application in construction works and building materials.
Types and Production
As one of the most widely used materials around the world, architects are accustomed to easily obtaining sawn wood from their nearest store. However, we know little about its manufacturing process and all the operations that determine its appearance, dimensions, shades, and other relevant aspects. Read more, here.
We've already introduced you to 'zero kilometer' materials: they can be locally sourced, don't require extensive industrial processing or toxic treatments, and at the end of their lifespan, they can be returned to the environment. For example, wood from nearby trees, just a few kilometers away, eliminates the need for long-distance transportation, valorizes local resources, and enables architecture with a lower environmental footprint that's more connected to the region. Read more, here.
Glued Laminated Timber (GLT), also known as Glulam, is a structural material manufactured by bonding individual segments of wood. Being glued together with industrial adhesives (typically Melamine or Polyurethane resin adhesives), this type of wood provides high durability and resistance to moisture, resulting in large-sized pieces and unique shapes. Read more, here.
Popularized in Europe and gradually gaining ground in the rest of the world, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) stands out for its strength, appearance, versatility, and sustainability. The material consists of planks (or lamellas) of sawn and glued wood, with each layer oriented perpendicular to the previous one. By joining layers of wood at right angles, the structural stiffness of the panel is achieved in both directions, similar to plywood but with thicker components. This way, the panel has good resistance to tension and compression. Read more, here.
In the case of furniture manufacturing, wall and ceiling coverings, and even flooring, the use of boards is an economical and functional way to incorporate wood into buildings. There are several options in the market, and each one uses a different manufacturing process, whether through fibers, particles, chips, or sheets, resulting in specific applications. You can learn about the most commonly used wood boards, their characteristics, and primary uses, here.
Various Japanese techniques have even reached the remotest corners of the planet, gaining ground in all kinds of disciplines, from craftsmanship to digital innovation. In the field of architecture, the appropriation and reinvention of different materials and construction systems—such as the use of carbonized wood on facades—is a topic that has endured over time. Read more, here.
Structures and Construction
The details in wooden structures, found in the diversity of types of joints and connections, not only showcase a construction and structural factor but also impart added value and complexity to architecture. Read more, here.
The combination of prefabricated materials in an assembly system, eliminating the use of cement, allows for the rapid construction of a project. Within this set, there are two main models – Steel Frame and Timber Frame – differing only in the raw material used in the production of the frames. The former employs steel profiles, while the latter incorporates wooden structural elements. Read more, here.
When it comes to designing larger-scale houses or buildings, it's important to take certain precautions to ensure the construction's quality and performance. In this regard, it's crucial to assess each project individually and analyze which connection system best suits the structural and aesthetic requirements. Read more, here.
Due to the variety of elements to be joined (beam-beam / beam-column / beam-brace / beam-wall / base-frames), working with hardware requires the guidance of a structural engineer or a professional with knowledge and experience. To assist you in this process, we have selected 15 metal fittings specially designed for connecting wooden pieces. Read more, here.
New technologies in digital fabrication, particularly Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems, are changing the way we design and build wooden structures. Their high level of precision allows us to create seamless assemblies – without visible screws or hardware – resulting in sturdy structures that can be quickly assembled and have an extremely clean appearance. Read more, here.
For centuries, before the invention of screws and fastening elements, Japanese craftsmen used intricate joinery to connect different wooden pieces for structures and beams, creating a unique aesthetic that can still be seen in the works of modern masters like Shigeru Ban. Read more, here.
In the spirit of open access to information, Professor Jochen Gros and designer Friedrich Sulzer led a research project at the C...Lab of the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach in Germany, where they developed over 50 woodworking techniques in wood to be digitally fabricated using CNC tools or laser cutters. Read more, here.
Design Trends
Renewable materials like wood have been identified as ideal construction materials, especially when incorporating innovative products like CLT and Glulam, design methods and processes like BIM and DfMA, visualization tools like VDC, and manufacturing tools like CNC. We know these are many acronyms, but we will try to clarify them throughout this article.
Wooden buildings are becoming increasingly popular, and design teams worldwide are harnessing evolving technologies to erect ever-taller structures. Building upon a recent article that explores the potential future of wooden skyscrapers, we present in the following link a tutorial to delve deeper into emerging technologies.
Internationally, the versatility of laminated wood is already taking center stage in a series of renowned projects. For instance, in the case of the double-curved roof of the 'Idaho Central Credit Union Arena' in the United States, laminated wood is used as a structure to create a space for massive public use based on local resources. Read more, here.
When it comes to seismic resistance, there are a series of myths that question wood's ability to play an effective role in the event of an earthquake. However, its ductility allows it to deform plastically without breaking, absorbing, and dissipating the energy generated by the movement and vibration. Read more, here.
Architecture Projects
Do you want to get inspired by the best architecture projects recently featured on ArchDaily? Find at the following link all the newest projects built with wood.
Products
Are you interested in discovering the best architecture products recently featured on ArchDaily? Find at the following link all the latest products made of wood.
This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: The Future of Wood in Architecture presented by Tantimber ThermoWood.
Tantimber ThermoWood brings the timeless warmth of wood to modern design. Natural, renewable, and non-toxic, they transform sustainably sourced wood species into dimensionally stable and durable wood products for use in residential and commercial building and design projects. Find out more about how the enduring beauty of ThermoWood brings warmth to the built environment.
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