Elegant and ecological, wood is becoming the material of choice for new buildings, high-rise buildings or offices. An architectural revolution made possible by the development of panels of unrivalled strength.
Long regarded as the basic material of architects, wood is making a comeback to grace after a long period of neglect. Solid, insulating, aesthetic, wood has many advantages. However, the end of the 20th century was marked by a sudden lack of interest in the architecture of this material.
Considered obsolete and associated with old traditional houses whose comfort is basic, old-fashioned architecture, in recent years, the sector is rediscovering wood and the big names in architecture have updated it in very contemporary constructions.
THE RESURGENCE OF WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE
Long out of fashion, wood is making a comeback in the world of architecture. This return to grace is closely related to ecological awareness and the need to build homes that are more environmentally friendly. Architects abandon concrete and other polluting materials and go back to basics. Wood has many properties that are perfectly adapted to today’s environmental requirements.
Today’s buildings must be the least polluting possible. The environmental footprint should be reduced as much as possible, and households are expected to consume very little energy. Wood meets all these constraints because it is a 100% natural material. In other words, there is no need to use polluting concrete and other environmentally damaging building materials. On the other hand, wood, like any organic material, is biodegradable, which means that it does not pollute the environment. Finally, wood is recyclable, it is possible to reuse it and thus give it a second life.
Bola House :
A bubble-shaped wooden house in Zelenograd, Russia.
Made by the company Skydom, its ball shape allows it to support the weight of the snow that accumulates in winter. This house is twice as strong as a traditional house. It can withstand up to 700 kilos of snow.
WOOD’S INTEREST IN RESPONSIBLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Contemporary architects seek to build environmentally friendly housing. That’s why they use natural, recyclable and biodegradable materials. However, to reach the end of their logic, they must also propose highly insulating constructions. But here again, wood is good. Highly insulating, it prevents cold penetration and saves energy, especially in winter, when heating consumption is particularly high in poorly insulated dwellings. Wood retains heat and blocks the cold. The insulating properties of wood allow a significant reduction in consumption.
A wooden beach house in Mahia, New Zealand, by Julian Guthrie.
Built from different woods, this house has a large area and blends perfectly with the landscape.
AESTHETIC WOOD OR HOW TO HIDE IT IN NATURE?
Contemporary architecture advocates a return to nature. Wooden houses are growing all over the world. This material is pleasing because it blends in perfectly with the environment. Many houses are built in isolated areas where nature is omnipresent. The wooden buildings blend completely into the landscape. The old wooden houses with exposed beams are abandoned in favour of much more contemporary buildings with clean lines that respond to current trends.
Log cabin, located in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. Directed by Sam Booth of Echo Living Workshop.
This house is totally autonomous. Made entirely of wood, it provides energy with its solar panels. The interior is flooded with natural light thanks to its huge windows.
DOING LOCAL INDUSTRY WORK
Wood is an abundant resource. Architects can buy it from local carpentry companies. Wooden constructions fit perfectly into an ecological and social approach. This logic makes it possible to bring short circuits to life and to put local craftsmen to work. These arguments are important because more and more buyers are sensitive to this mode of production and work that supports small enterprises. The architects understood the importance of highlighting regional knowledge.
WHEN ARCHITECTS REDISCOVER WOOD
Wood fever is affecting more and more architects. The biggest names in the sector do not hesitate to embark on major projects whose heart is none other than wood. Some companies have even specialised in this type of construction. In France, Ameo has built more than a hundred contemporary wooden houses. The interior designer Ld is another player in the sector that is unleashed in the hexagon, like the company Tempo Bois or the Sobo group. The architectural firm Desmedt-Purnelle, a specialist in green building in Belgium, has several beautiful achievements to its credit. All over the world, architectural firms are deciding to specialise in timber construction.
Wood seems to have found favour in the architectural world. Now, this material is particularly popular, and top architects have succumbed to its charm. In some countries, such as Sweden, wood has always been the king of construction. Entire buildings were constructed from this material. This trend is now developing worldwide.
