Region Archives: International

Built by Nature (BbN) is excited to announce the launch of its 2025 global Prize, recognising exemplary real-world applications of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction in predominantly timber buildings. On April 7, the grant-funding network will open applications for completed and in-use projects, including new builds, renovations, and significant extensions. The Prize will highlight excellence in demonstration of the Principles, with winners announced at the annual Built by Nature Summit in October. Winning buildings will be showcased at high-profile events and a documentary film premiered at COP, included in an international study tour, and presented as examples of responsible timber construction on the Built by Nature Knowledge Hub.

Wood, a traditional and sustainable structural material, has long been used in construction and furniture due to its availability and mechanical properties. However, natural wood’s strength is often insufficient for advanced engineering applications. Now, researchers from Nanjing University have developed a novel self-densification strategy to create super-strong wood that could replace metals and alloys. The team used a combination of partial delignification and a LiCl/DMAc swelling process to release and reorganize wood fibers. This method allows the fibers to move inward and fill the cell lumen, followed by air-drying to achieve self-densification. Unlike traditional compressed wood, which relies on unidirectional compression, this self-densified wood exhibits uniform shrinkage in the transverse area, maintaining its longitudinal dimension.

The headquarters of the construction company Blumer Lehmann in Gossau, Switzerland, illustrate the possibilities of contemporary timber architecture. The collaboration between the Stuttgart-based team at ICD and timber construction specialist Blumer Lehmann builds upon extensive research into curved timber structures. In contrast to the orthogonal grid of the overall building, the tapering surfaces of the atrium articulate two distinct spatial expressions. Convex outward-facing walls offer a textile-like softness, while concave intersections generate sweeping ridges that extend vertically through the structure, modulating light and perspective. These elements simultaneously act as a spatial enclosure and a load-bearing system, transferring forces across five floors with a slender 130-millimeter-wall thickness. The stairway of the atrium is integrated within this timber composition, guiding movement while creating balconies and alcoves.

This study investigates the influence of nanocellulose fibre (CF) derived from wood pulp on the hydration, mechanical, shrinkage, and pore properties of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar. The CF was incorporated into mortar mixes at varying dosages (0.15–1.5% by weight of mortar) to evaluate its effect on physical, mechanical, and microstructure properties. …The results suggest that an optimal CF dosage of 0.45% provides a balance between workability, mechanical properties, and durability, making it an effective additive for enhancing the performance of OPC mortars in sustainable construction applications. The study promotes the use of recycled cellulose fibres in mortars, which helps reduce the reliance on non-renewable resources. By carefully managing CF content, it is possible to achieve an acceptable balance between workability, mechanical strength, and durability. 

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has launched a candid new video that demonstrates the importance of the essential and sustainable products our sector creates, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today. “This video Try living without Aussie timber and paper is the latest development in AFPA’s 2025 Federal Election Campaign following the launch of our policy Platform Australian Timber.

Unlike traditional engineered timber, which relies on subtractive processes such as cutting and laminating, Woodflow builds material only where it is needed, says Daniel Ortiz del Río, architect and a chief technology officer at strong by form, a company that creates lightweight structural solutions combining the sustainability of wood with high performance and productivity. …”By combining materials science, digital fabrication, and computational design, we create ultra-lightweight yet structurally strong components that outperform conventional materials in sustainability, weight, and mechanical performance,” he added. …Del Río emphasizes that using Woodflow technology reduces wood consumption by up to 75 percent, significantly lowering carbon emissions compared to natural wood. …”A key advantage of our process is that we maximize the efficiency of forest resources by using veneer in the form of flakes, allowing us to utilize a much larger portion of the tree for structural applications,” Del Río explained.

SUSTAINABUILD has unveiled its latest ‘Green Skills’ Impact Report, outlining insights and recommendations from its recent ministerial-led Assembly. The Assembly, opened by Scotland’s minister for higher and further education, Graeme Dey, focused on the need to close the green skills gap within the built environment. The report identifies ‘urgent’ workforce priorities to help Scotland meet its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Among key recommendations are the establishment of a national green skills strategy and stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry to establish high-quality training programmes. Other measures include inclusive hiring practices as well as targeted mentorship and scholarships to support women and underrepresented groups entering green careers.

UK — The Measuring Mass Timber project presents research led by architecture practice dRMM, conducted in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University and the Quality of Life Foundation. The methodology was developed with a goal to assess the quality of life and whole-life carbon impacts of five case study projects across different sectors. These are UK buildings for education, infrastructure, worship, residential and commercial uses. According to the report, mass timber is a readily available option to help achieve embodied carbon targets, while the quality of life assessment of the case study buildings show benefits healthwise. Each building was subject to detailed lifecycle analysis, internal environment monitoring and user consultation over the two-year study. dRMM believes this could be seen as a first step in building an evidence-driven case for timber construction using whole-life carbon and wellbeing metrics.

Canadian Wood, commemorated World Wood Day (March 21st) by hosting a highly engaging seminar on the theme “Wood is Forever – Sustainable & Renewable.” The event, held at Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, brought together leading architects, developers, manufacturers, and industry professionals from across Hyderabad to explore the significance of wood as a sustainable and renewable resource in modern architecture and designs. The seminar opened with insightful presentations by Mr. Vivekabhilash Sharma from Artius Interior Products and Mr. Ashok Kuriakose from Kelveneers, who shared their experiences and passion for integrating wood into their projects. Their presentations set the stage for an engaging panel discussion, moderated by Ar. Kuldeep Singh, Founder & Director of ARKA Integrated Project Management Solution. The discussion focused on sustainability, benefits and practical applications of wood in contemporary and hybrid construction, highlighting its ecological advantages and long-term viability.

Ms Zimmi Forest, a basket weaver in northern New South Wales, has tapped into the desire to do death differently, and her workshops have been booked solid since they started 18 months ago… Ms Forest said the idea of weaving coffins came to her after she was invited to make baskets at a property where a Landcare group was working to remove invasive Cat’s Claw vine. The Brazilian vine is perfect for weaving; once it is stripped from the trees and pruned back, it forms long, flexible strands. “The great thing about a woven coffin is it’s permeable, all the microorganisms in the soil can get in and its breaks down so much quicker. “For cremation, why would you burn solid timber?” The process to make a woven coffin took about 150 hours, and Ms Forest said she had made about 15 coffins at the workshops and on her own as commissioned projects.

NEW ZEALAND — Signing of a ‘letter of intent’ on forestry co-operation between New Zealand and India as part of the Prime Minister’s delegation visit to India this week is welcomed by the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of Newzeald (WPMA). The ‘letter of intent’ is between the Ministry for Primary Industries and our nearest counterpart Indian agency, the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Climate Change. The key subject areas, reflecting MOEFCC’s and MPI’s respective mandates and scope, includes sustainable forest management; research and innovation; education and capacity building; and utlilisation and certification. …India is the most populous nation in the world yet for our forestry exports India currently ranks 11th (down from 5th in 2019). …With a recent ruling from the Indian government stipulating that federal housing schemes include ‘a greater mix’ of wood, there are new opportunities opening, for example, in the Indian residential market for our sustainable wood products.

Amid growing interest in sustainable construction, CHYBIK + KRISTOF is advancing the position of timber architecture in Central Europe. Titled Forestry in the Forest, the project will serve as the new headquarters for the Czech National Forestry in Hradec Králové and become the Czech Republic‘s largest wooden structure in an effort to shift industry norms and position timber as a viable material for large-scale development. The complex is envisioned as a cluster of five elongated timber volumes … connected through a central hall. …Forestry in the Forest’s structure then makes use of a combination of timber construction methods … to demonstrate wood’s capacity to deliver efficient, durable, and engaging design solutions. …‘The walls are constructed in the two-by-four system; the ceilings, horizontal slabs, built-in subcenters and railings are made of CLT panels; and for the large-span structures wooden glued trusses are used,’ says CHYBIK + KRISTOF.