On 5 and 6 November 2024, a new European research and innovation project ‘TIMBERHAUS’ kicked off in Copenhagen, led by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI). The project aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in the construction sector by developing innovative wood construction technologies and design solutions.

The construction sector is responsible for 40% of global CO₂ emissions, 50% of all extracted materials, and 35% of waste generated. Despite their recognised climate and carbon removal benefits, widespread adoption of wood materials in the construction sector remains slow. TIMBERHAUS seeks to accelerate the uptake of wood in construction by harnessing the potential of currently under-used hardwood species and post-consumer wood to create sustainable, high-performance construction products and designs, and enable more efficient use of forest resources.

“We are very inefficient in our use of forest resources when it comes to construction products. About 50% of European forests are made up of hardwood species but they make up less than 5% of commercial wood construction products. The wood construction value chain is based on a few softwood species, which makes it inefficient and vulnerable. In TIMBERHAUS, we try to tackle this challenge to increase the sustainable use of wood construction”, said Project Coordinator Anders Kjellow, Danish Technological Institute.

Prototypes to demonstrate potential
TIMBERHAUS will use digital tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop innovative prototypes that demonstrate the potential of under-used wood resources in construction. These include engineered wood products designed for load-bearing structures in multi-story buildings, as well as flooring solutions that incorporate hardwoods and post-consumer wood.

“The prototypes will serve as practical examples of how we can use a wider range of wood resources effectively. We aim to provide the construction sector with viable, high-performance products that meet current building standards while promoting circular economy principles and supporting Europe's climate goals”, stated Mark Schubert, Group leader, WoodTec, Empa.

Beyond technological innovations
TIMBERHAUS closely aligns with the New European Bauhaus initiative, integrating sustainability with aesthetic and social values. The project will develop wood-building blueprints that enhance human health and well-being while incorporating local cultural traditions and design languages. These designs will be co-created with stakeholders in partner cities Berlin (Germany), Baia Mare (Romania), and Siena (Italy), ensuring they meet local needs and preferences.

“Our approach in TIMBERHAUS goes beyond just using wood as a sustainable material. We're designing living spaces that improve human health and well-being. By combining traditional woodworking techniques with modern design principles, we're creating buildings that not only reduce carbon emissions but also provide comfortable, healthy, and culturally rich environments for people to live and work in”, said Kirsten Haggart, Waugh Thistleton Architects.


European collaboration
The project builds upon ongoing and concluded research and innovation projects and initiatives on similar topics, such as Build-in-Wood and WOODCIRCLES, where several TIMBERHAUS partners were involved. "This is a great opportunity for raising the project's profile" – stated Luisa de Amicis, Project Management Officer at ICONS, the organisation in charge of promoting the project.

"Thanks to the existing networks and platforms, we can easily share our work and outcomes not only with all those people interested in timber and forestry but also with policymakers and industry representatives. ICONS is involved in the WOODCIRCLE project which focuses on timber construction, and we are joining forces to maximise the impact of the two projects.” ICONS will lead the exploitation of the project results and lead the work on scaling up and replicating the solutions developed.

The project, co-funded by the EU and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), involves 19 partners and runs for 4 years from November 2024 to October 2028.