Advancing wood construction in the building sector

The 2023 "Let's Build with Wood!" initiative, launched by Harghita County Council and the Harghita County Development Agency, aimed to promote sustainable building practices using wood, a material deeply embedded in local culture.
On November 28, 2024, the Harghita County Council and the Development Agency of Harghita County hosted the " Advancing wood construction in the building sector" forum in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. The event emphasized the importance of sustainable construction, aligning with broader European objectives to reduce carbon footprints and promote eco-friendly practices. Mr. Csaba Borboly, vicepresident of Harghita County Council and a key speaker as rapporteur on sustainable building at the Committee of the Regions, highlighted the need for unified approaches, common standards, and the sharing of best practices between regions to address the global sustainability challenges.
Key discussions during the forum included the reuse of old wooden structures, the importance of cooperation in the wood market, and the role of political support in creating competitive markets for quality timber. Notable insights were shared on the potential for passive houses and lightweight, energy-efficient buildings. Additionally, a focus was placed on digital tools, such as Weto AG software, for efficient wood construction design and the significance of energy efficiency in modern buildings, with findings from ISPRA research on the seismic behavior of timber structures.
Key Topics Discussed:
• The revival of barns and the reuse of old timber: barns hold cultural and historical significance in the rural landscapes of Harghita County. In the past, they played a crucial role in agriculture and daily life, but many have deteriorated over time. Efforts to restore and repurpose them for modern use have gained momentum.
• Market competitiveness of quality timber and the need for cooperation: the competitiveness of the timber market was discussed, with a focus on how local companies can access quality materials for timber construction.
• Collaborative agreements and educational partnerships: the Harghita County Development Agency signed a collaboration agreement with the Baia Mare s Master Training Center to foster educational exchanges and research on wood-based building techniques.
• Passive houses and energy-efficient timber structures
• Weto AG software: enhancing precision in timber building design: the role of Weto AG software in timber building design was highlighted. These innovative tools enable precise planning and resource optimization, making timber construction more efficient and sustainable.
• Energy efficiency research by ISPRA: the ISPRA Research Institute presented its findings on energy efficiency, with a special focus on the behavior of timber structures during earthquakes. Their research aims to improve the resilience of wood-based buildings in seismic areas, showcasing the robustness and sustainability of timber even in challenging environments.
The forum concluded with a list of proposals to enhance wood usage in the construction sector, which were submitted to the Romanian government for consideration:
- Legal Proposal for wood use in state-funded construction projects, requiring that at least 25% of the materials used in such projects be wood-based.
- Encouraging the construction of 2-story administrative buildings (e.g., schools and kindergartens) from wood.
- Promoting wood in NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) funded projects, ensuring at least 25% of the materials are wood-based.
- Carbon Storage Valuation in timber buildings for market evaluation.
- Expansion of the "Rabla" Program to include forestry machinery.
- The Mountain Law Implementation, focusing on the development of the timber industry in mountainous areas.
- The local use of wood for community development, encouraging processing close to harvesting locations.
Also, one of the standout initiatives was the launch of the "Build with Wood" Catalog, a comprehensive database designed to connect businesses in Harghita County working with wood and wood-based products. This free-to-access platform aims to support local enterprises and promote the use of high-quality, locally sourced materials, thus strengthening the regional economy and reducing reliance on imports.
The forum underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in advancing wood construction. By leveraging both modern technology and traditional methods, Harghita County is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable building practices, setting an example for other regions to follow.