Construction of wooden buildings: these are the new projects in Argentina and the region

2024-09-30 -

As shown in the Paris Olympic Games, the wood industry seeks to be the protagonist in the construction of homes and buildings where sustainability are the basis of development. In the world there are about 140 mass wooden buildings, with structures of eight floors or more, among which are already finished, under construction or in development stages, according to data from the High Building Council and Urban Habitat (CTBUH, by its acronym in English). Most of these projects are in Europe and North America, but in our region some proposals have already begun and there are concrete projects in Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru and Mexico. In favor, wood has the support of those who fight against climate change. The cities are the cause and probably part of the solution in this crusade since they are responsible for 70 % of carbon emissions.

Cities that pollute urban areas today house 55 % of the worlds population, with more 4.2 billion inhabitants. This trend will increase since by 2050 it is estimated that 7 out of 10 people - of the 9.7 billion inhabitants in the world - will live in cities. Wood is one of the most friendly biomaterials with the environment and, without a doubt, without doubt, Construction with this input is considered one of the most affordable solutions. The UN, in its report construction materials and climate: building a new future, expresses the worldwide need to change, prefer and use wood and other biological materials to stop the degradation of ecosystems, which could represent emissions savings 40 % by 2050. So several floors with wood are built the secret of these wooden giants, it is the CLT or Mass Timber system, which consists of a concept, a philosophy of life for the future and at the same time a revolutionary constructive technique. Solid wood is used, which combines large panels made of crossed laminated wood or rolled wood with cloves for the floor and wall. The glued rolled wood is the one used for columns. This type of wood has fire resistance and integrity. The Mass Timber allows buildings of several heights (more than six floors) using exclusively using materials composed of layers of structural degree wood. But also, it allows spectacular and mega avant -garde designs, curves and waves. It is an excellent ecological substitute for carbon intensive construction materials and systems, such as concrete and steel. It generates a lower amount of carbon dioxide emissions during its production and has the ability to kidnap carbon. Developments in the region is a large number of projects and developments that will undoubtedly become iconic buildings in the cities in which they will be located. These are some examples: ? In Chile, ElProject Tamango, by Tallwood Architects is an example of the challenges and opportunities for wood construction in the country and the region ? Alpenhaus Real Estate embarked on a corporate project called Arboleda, which will be located in Carrasco. It is a three -storey office building and a subsoil, on a plot of 2869 square meters and 2223 offices, with glazed facade and 360 ° view ? Mexico advances with a rolled wooden wooden building in one of the colonies More emblematic from the entire capital of the country: Polanco. This skyscraper is called Jardín Anatole and has five floors. It was designed by the Study of Lekamp Architects and is unique in its kind ? In São Paulo (Brazil) a completely made building of Brazilian wood will be built, 100 % certified both for its origin and for its trajectory. The initiative came from Amata, a Brazilian forest management company ? The project, builds to grow, was the winner of the XIX National Biennial of Architecture of Peru 2022 with one, comprehensive proposal for sustainability linked to the efficiency of water management, the Energy and the life cycle of the proposed materials. The opportunity in our country in the world This type of constructions no longer surprise and the projects grow in quantity and quality. In Argentina there is still nothing specifically if we talk about buildings, although there are projects. It is estimated that, of every 100 new works, between 5 to 10 % are done with wood and 20 % with other dry construction systems. Wood is a powerful solution for construction and architecture that allows to meet the needs of bioeconomy. It seems that it was time to move towards the international trend of sustainable architecture in its multiple systems and materials with less carbon footprint, which demand lower resources and that they finally achieve a home with less energy consumption and more friendly with the environment .