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Are bio-cities coming?: why is the use of wood in housing construction advancing and what systems prevail in Argentina? - Infobae
Source:
www.infobae.com
February 02, 2025
Construction with this material is growing in the country as an efficient and sustainable alternative. Its advantages include faster turnaround times, lower environmental impact and costs ranging from USD 800 to USD 2,500 per square meter, depending on quality and design.
By Jose Luis Cieri
Wood construction promotes sustainability and energy efficiency
Construction using wood is growing steadily in Argentina, driven by its efficiency and sustainability and the need for faster and cheaper housing options. Currently, there are an estimated 10,000 homes being built using different construction systems that use this material in the country. This type of construction, consolidated in countries in the northern hemisphere , finds a favorable place here thanks to forest resources, in addition to the natural advantages of the material.
Unlike other countries, such as Canada, the United States and Scandinavia, where wood was already common, the use of this material is gaining ground in Argentina thanks to its combination of energy savings and natural resources and its relationship with the so-called “biocities” .
“A biocity is a broad term that aims to describe a territorial unit in which various ecosystemic, economic, architectural, social and political-institutional aspects come together and interact . It aims at a dynamic that prioritizes sustainable development and has wood as its axis to transform large cities,” said Diego García Pezzano , architect and head of the architecture department of the Argentine Chamber of Wood (Cadamda).
Sweden is building the world's first city built entirely from this material , and specialists say that cities that use wood in construction become carbon capture and storage centers .
Even parks and strategic placement of trees around buildings reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Indoors, the same finishing materials can be used as in any building.
Argentina has 1.3 million hectares of forest plantations, with species such as pine and eucalyptus , which grow at competitive rates worldwide. “A pine that takes 80 years to develop in Canada reaches maturity in 18 years in the Argentine Mesopotamia, thanks to favorable soil and climate conditions. This advantage allows us to obtain renewable and accessible raw materials,” Daniel Vier , president of CADAMDA and general secretary of the Argentine Federation of the Timber and Related Industries (Faima), told Infobae.
Wood construction offers advantages in terms of speed, cost and environmental sustainability. In terms of time, a 60 m2 house can be completed in three months, compared to the eight months required for traditional construction .
“ Avant-garde architecture is seeking sustainable solutions and in this segment wood offers significant advantages. If we compare the energy needed to produce aluminium, iron or cement with that of wood, the difference is abysmal,” explained Vier.
Cross-laminated timber is one of the systems that allows homes to be built with this material.
In Argentina, the most used systems are:
Industry data indicates that this technology could provide up to 50,000 homes annually , a factor that would help mitigate the housing deficit estimated at 3.5 million homes.
A noble material that allows homes to be built in less time than other construction systems
“Construction speed and energy savings are key factors in promoting this model,” observed Roberto Luis Raimondi , advisor to FAIMA.
“In many cases, construction professionals’ technical knowledge of wood is still incipient. Progress is needed in education and training to change the cultural perception and highlight its benefits,” said Raimondi.
Until a few years ago, wood was not considered a relevant material for construction in Argentina, being used mostly in decorative elements or in rural buildings . However, the search for more efficient and sustainable housing solutions has driven its adoption in various projects.
Vier added: “A few years ago, you couldn’t see any wood frame style houses in the gated communities of Greater Buenos Aires. Today, at least one or two out of every hundred homes built already use this system, which reflects the change in market perception.”
Entities such as Cadamda and Faima promote professional training and the dissemination of the advantages of the material. Cadamda, for example, offers virtual courses that have trained more than 1,700 graduates since 2020, while Faima is working on the creation of a labeling system that guarantees the quality and competitiveness of products in local and international markets
The step-by-step process of a project in our country
“The labelling of structural wood is key to guaranteeing the quality and standardisation of the material, indicating its resistance, origin and measurements. This provides confidence both to professionals in structural design and calculation and to end users, facilitating its adoption in local and international markets,” explained Raimondi.
From private homes to medical centres and hotels, wood is increasingly used in projects . “Companies such as Ancona Eco Viviendas and cooperatives from Mesopotamia are driving this growth,” said Vier.
Wood is key to sustainable architecture . In Nordic countries and Canada, it is the main construction material, while in Argentina its use is growing with forest resources, training and a cultural change towards sustainability.
The challenge is to build the first wooden building of more than 5 floors in Argentina. In the northern hemisphere they are common
“We are at a turning point where we see that the potential for expansion is really very significant. The last 60 years have witnessed several notable changes and now we are at the right time to face this national challenge and achieve the completion of the first building of more than 5 floors made of wood ,” said Vier.
Each country faces its own challenges. In Argentina, the development of wood construction will depend on investments in infrastructure, professional training, environmental awareness and a government push that prioritizes sustainability and biocities.
Vier concluded: “The wood construction market in Argentina has great potential due to its forest resources, sustainable benefits and versatility. With the right promotion, it can become a regional benchmark.”
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Source:
¿Llegan las biociudades?: por qué avanza el uso de madera en la construcción de viviendas y qué sistemas prevalecen en Argentina
La edificación con este material crece en el país como una alternativa eficiente y sostenible. Sus ventajas incluyen rapidez en los plazos, menor impacto ambiental y costos que oscilan entre USD 800 y USD 2.500 por metro cuadrado, según la calidad y el diseño
www.infobae.com
February 02, 2025
Construction with this material is growing in the country as an efficient and sustainable alternative. Its advantages include faster turnaround times, lower environmental impact and costs ranging from USD 800 to USD 2,500 per square meter, depending on quality and design.
By Jose Luis Cieri
Wood construction promotes sustainability and energy efficiency
Construction using wood is growing steadily in Argentina, driven by its efficiency and sustainability and the need for faster and cheaper housing options. Currently, there are an estimated 10,000 homes being built using different construction systems that use this material in the country. This type of construction, consolidated in countries in the northern hemisphere , finds a favorable place here thanks to forest resources, in addition to the natural advantages of the material.
Unlike other countries, such as Canada, the United States and Scandinavia, where wood was already common, the use of this material is gaining ground in Argentina thanks to its combination of energy savings and natural resources and its relationship with the so-called “biocities” .
“A biocity is a broad term that aims to describe a territorial unit in which various ecosystemic, economic, architectural, social and political-institutional aspects come together and interact . It aims at a dynamic that prioritizes sustainable development and has wood as its axis to transform large cities,” said Diego García Pezzano , architect and head of the architecture department of the Argentine Chamber of Wood (Cadamda).
Sweden is building the world's first city built entirely from this material , and specialists say that cities that use wood in construction become carbon capture and storage centers .
Even parks and strategic placement of trees around buildings reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Indoors, the same finishing materials can be used as in any building.
Argentina has 1.3 million hectares of forest plantations, with species such as pine and eucalyptus , which grow at competitive rates worldwide. “A pine that takes 80 years to develop in Canada reaches maturity in 18 years in the Argentine Mesopotamia, thanks to favorable soil and climate conditions. This advantage allows us to obtain renewable and accessible raw materials,” Daniel Vier , president of CADAMDA and general secretary of the Argentine Federation of the Timber and Related Industries (Faima), told Infobae.
Benefits and construction systems
Wood construction offers advantages in terms of speed, cost and environmental sustainability. In terms of time, a 60 m2 house can be completed in three months, compared to the eight months required for traditional construction .
“ Avant-garde architecture is seeking sustainable solutions and in this segment wood offers significant advantages. If we compare the energy needed to produce aluminium, iron or cement with that of wood, the difference is abysmal,” explained Vier.
Cross-laminated timber is one of the systems that allows homes to be built with this material.
In Argentina, the most used systems are:
- Wooden frame ( Platform or Balloon Frame ) : Reduces execution times by 60% and improves thermal insulation up to 15 times more than concrete.
- Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) : Combines wood panels with a foam core, achieving energy savings and superior structural strength.
- Post and Beam System (GLT) : Provides flexibility in design and speed in construction, with prefabricated elements.
- Cross-laminated timber (CLT) : It allows the construction of buildings of more than six floors, standing out for its stability and prefabrication.
Costs and competitiveness
The average cost of building with wood ranges from USD 800 to USD 2,500 per square meter, depending on the quality and features. Although it may seem similar to other systems, the speed of execution and energy savings more than compensate for the initial investment.Industry data indicates that this technology could provide up to 50,000 homes annually , a factor that would help mitigate the housing deficit estimated at 3.5 million homes.
A noble material that allows homes to be built in less time than other construction systems
“Construction speed and energy savings are key factors in promoting this model,” observed Roberto Luis Raimondi , advisor to FAIMA.
Challenges and projections
Despite progress, the full development of wood construction faces cultural and regulatory barriers. Lack of knowledge about its durability and resistance limits its adoption. In addition, municipal regulations are often outdated compared to modern technologies.“In many cases, construction professionals’ technical knowledge of wood is still incipient. Progress is needed in education and training to change the cultural perception and highlight its benefits,” said Raimondi.
Until a few years ago, wood was not considered a relevant material for construction in Argentina, being used mostly in decorative elements or in rural buildings . However, the search for more efficient and sustainable housing solutions has driven its adoption in various projects.
Vier added: “A few years ago, you couldn’t see any wood frame style houses in the gated communities of Greater Buenos Aires. Today, at least one or two out of every hundred homes built already use this system, which reflects the change in market perception.”
Entities such as Cadamda and Faima promote professional training and the dissemination of the advantages of the material. Cadamda, for example, offers virtual courses that have trained more than 1,700 graduates since 2020, while Faima is working on the creation of a labeling system that guarantees the quality and competitiveness of products in local and international markets
The step-by-step process of a project in our country
“The labelling of structural wood is key to guaranteeing the quality and standardisation of the material, indicating its resistance, origin and measurements. This provides confidence both to professionals in structural design and calculation and to end users, facilitating its adoption in local and international markets,” explained Raimondi.
Interior expansion and sustainable architecture
Wood construction has greater penetration in the interior, where regional economies find in this sector a way to add value to forest resources.From private homes to medical centres and hotels, wood is increasingly used in projects . “Companies such as Ancona Eco Viviendas and cooperatives from Mesopotamia are driving this growth,” said Vier.
Wood is key to sustainable architecture . In Nordic countries and Canada, it is the main construction material, while in Argentina its use is growing with forest resources, training and a cultural change towards sustainability.
The challenge is to build the first wooden building of more than 5 floors in Argentina. In the northern hemisphere they are common
“We are at a turning point where we see that the potential for expansion is really very significant. The last 60 years have witnessed several notable changes and now we are at the right time to face this national challenge and achieve the completion of the first building of more than 5 floors made of wood ,” said Vier.
Each country faces its own challenges. In Argentina, the development of wood construction will depend on investments in infrastructure, professional training, environmental awareness and a government push that prioritizes sustainability and biocities.
Vier concluded: “The wood construction market in Argentina has great potential due to its forest resources, sustainable benefits and versatility. With the right promotion, it can become a regional benchmark.”
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