The increasing international proliferation of wooden constructions is a recent phenomenon that originated and was nurtured in Alpine regions, thanks to a gradual process of technological innovation developed over the last two decades through experimental architecture using new, engineered components. The result of this upsurge has been an unprecedented positive development trajectory for this sector in constant growth thanks to strategies of decarbonisation and the spread of bio-based construction materials as key drivers for Net Zero Carbon Buildings (NZCB), Climate-Neutral Buildings.
Today this change in the “status” of wooden constructions is most clearly represented outside of Alpine regions, in urban landscapes where wooden superstructures, like multifunctional walls for energy retrofitting, new schools, university residential halls, hotels, and commercial buildings abound.
In recent years, this evolution has been accompanied by a debate on the available approaches and models, which are reflected in the numerous European competitions and awards dedicated to wooden architecture, with the aim of promoting an understanding of the strategies and practices implemented in public and private projects. The Wood Architecture Prize, the first Italian award in the industry, promoted by Fiera Bolzano, Politecnico di Torino and IUAV Venezia, is a prime example of this advance. Around 150 architectural projects were submitted for consideration, prevalently by the new generation of professionals who are increasingly aware of the environmental and local sensibilities of architectural methods.
