Designing Durable and Energy Efficient Wood Buildings

Abstract

The manufacture of solid wood panels, based on advanced technologies, has enabled the construction of increasingly tall buildings, entirely built in wood or with hybrid systems. Historically, despite having brilliant architectural examples around the world, built in wood spanning millennia, the durability of such material still raises many questions, especially those related to the hygroscopic nature of wood. In action planning, in which one intends to build durable buildings, issues related to environmental sustainability come to the fore, in the same discourse plan, since in the current context of environmental concerns with climate effects, energy consumption in buildings must receive priority attention. Wood, as a renewable source of energy, is a material with important constructive potential and therefore this article seeks to relate the two issues, durability and energy efficiency in buildings that fulfill their environmental role, with longevity and providing safety and comfort to users.