In the heart of Europe’s ambitious Green Deal lies a pressing challenge: how to make the building and construction sector more sustainable, circular, and low-carbon. A groundbreaking project, BE-WoodEN, is tackling this head-on, with a focus on promoting wood construction as a viable, eco-friendly alternative. Led by Giovanna Franco from the Department of Architecture and Design at the University of Genoa, Italy, this initiative is not just about buildings; it’s about changing mindsets and skills to foster a greener future.
The construction industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 40% of the EU’s total. The BE-WoodEN project aims to slash these emissions by promoting the use of wood, a renewable and sustainable material. “We’re not just talking about building with wood; we’re talking about a paradigm shift,” says Franco. “We want to overcome the cultural, technical, economic, and regulatory barriers that have hindered the wood supply chain in many countries.”
The project is rooted in the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), an initiative that combines design, sustainability, accessibility, and affordability. BE-WoodEN follows the NEB Compass, a set of principles that guide the creation of beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive spaces. By doing so, the project is not only promoting a greener construction sector but also fostering a new way of designing and building that is participatory and community-focused.
One of the key aspects of BE-WoodEN is its focus on capacity building. The project aims to increase knowledge and skills in the use of wood for construction, targeting large building stocks, mainly social housing. This is a significant commercial opportunity for the energy sector, as the shift towards wood construction could open up new markets for sustainable, renewable energy sources.
The potential impacts of this research are far-reaching. By promoting the use of wood, BE-WoodEN could help reduce the construction sector’s carbon footprint, contributing to the EU’s climate goals. Moreover, by fostering a new way of designing and building, the project could shape the future of the construction industry, making it more sustainable, circular, and inclusive.
As Franco puts it, “We’re not just building with wood; we’re building a new future.” This future is one where the construction industry is not a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions but a key player in the fight against climate change. With projects like BE-WoodEN, published in ‘Techne’ (which translates to ‘Art’ in English), paving the way, this future is not just a possibility but a reality in the making.
In the coming years, as the BE-WoodEN project gains traction, we can expect to see a shift in the construction industry. Buildings made of wood, designed following the NEB principles, could become the norm rather than the exception. This shift could have significant commercial impacts for the energy sector, opening up new markets for sustainable, renewable energy sources. Moreover, it could contribute to the EU’s climate goals, helping to reduce the construction sector’s carbon footprint.
In conclusion, the BE-WoodEN project is a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change. By promoting the use of wood and fostering a new way of designing and building, it is shaping the future of the construction industry. As we look towards this future, one thing is clear: the construction industry is not just building buildings; it’s building a new, greener, and more sustainable world.