WIA_ISSUE2_2023

SUSTAINABILITY
spacious rooms, teamed with
exposed laminated timber trusses,
cores, and floors, make for a contrast
against the building’s muted colour
palette, showcasing its timbercentric
construction. It is a space
designed to spark interaction and
engagement between employees,
visitors, and the public.
A collaborative study between Stora
Enso and the Technical University
of Munich uncovered the health and
wellness perks of wooden interiors.
The survey, spanning multiple
research areas, discovered that
wood does wonders for stress levels
and productivity.* Findings showed
that being in a wooden environment
helps lower cortisol, a major stress
hormone and students were found
to be less anxious in classrooms
made of wood. Additionally, wood
has many practical benefits. It
maintains the right humidity levels,
which can reduce allergens and
limit the spread of bacteria and
viruses. Coronaviruses were found
to survive for a shorter time on
wooden surfaces than on other
common materials.* To further
inspire research in this field,
Sebastian Hernandez, building
concepts manager at Stora Enso
wood products, said: “[While
underappreciated], building with
wood [lowers] environmental
impact — CO2 emissions can
be reduced by up to 75% when
compared to traditional processes
with concrete and steel.”*
1
The PEFC safeguards forests
by providing evidence of
sustainable forest management
through certification. It enables
forest owners and managers to
demonstrate the sustainable
practices they apply in the forest
meet both current and future
generations’ needs. As the demand
for certified forest products for
2
building grows, PEFC is exploring
how the benefits of forests and wood
in construction are linked. In a recent
dialogue with PEFC, Juan Villarroel,
CEO of the Forestry Association
of Navarra, shared how engaging
with forests can stimulate rural
employment and create sustainable
jobs centred around forest care and
management. He proposed that the
closeness to these lush landscapes
can cultivate the environmental
responsibility crucial for preserving
vital ecosystems.*
30 WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2023