Innovative timber construction: sustainability and high performance skin

What placement is the more suitable nowadays for a traditional material such as wood? Can it stand a chance against the wide range of hi-tech products that industrial research creates at the cost of large investments? In the current global financial crisis, wooden constructions are quickly gaining reputation not only for their reliability. An increased ecological awareness and environmental concern is the main reason for this growing trend but, aside that, we have also the perception of quality given by embedded technologies typical of this type of buildings. Use of low emission materials and energy efficiency are no more optional requirements and wooden technology can offer them both at a fraction of the price. Greater use of wood in construction can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by stimulating the expansion of forests and by reducing requirements for fossil fuel-intensive products. Wood plays a major role in combating climate change. Trees reduce CO2 in the atmosphere, since one cubic meter of wood absorbs around one ton of CO2. The purpose of this paper is to look at the appropriate tools and concepts involving timber constructions, materials, components and technologies used in several types of low energy buildings. Moreover, this paper will highlight the main application areas of interest, the current state of research and future perspectives.