Brick is now making way for beautiful wooden buildings
Traditionally, homes and buildings have been constructed using stone, bricks and concrete. The materials are solid and durable, built to last, and relatively cheap to mass produce. Recently, there has been an increase in homeowners and architects designing wooden buildings, whether that’s using wood for part of the build or all of it.
This month, Handmade Hideaways take a look at five beautiful buildings constructed from wood and how we could be looking at a sustainable future if we swap to wood for the majority of our construction projects. Whether you are planning an extension or an entire home, we hope the following buildings will give you some ideas if you are looking for inspiration. Handmade Hideaways are here for all your wooden construction needs.
Take a look at these incredible wooden buildings
Office Off, Burgenland, Austria
Based in Burgenland, a cladding company was looking for an office building that incorporated an aesthetically pleasing design, work/life balance and wood as its primary material. The result is a unique building with striking lines, beautiful colours and bright, airy spaces. The office space includes a swimming pool, relaxed areas, a gym, and even an abseiling tower (which doubles as the exterior timber frame structure).
Barn B at Mason Lane Farm, USA
Possibly the most unusual of our wooden building collective here is Barn B, situated in Kentucky. Whilst you are essentially looking at a large shed, the thought process behind the design is actually very clever. The entire structure was crafted using locally grown bamboo, and it’s used for crop storage. Thanks to the lattice design of the bamboo, natural light and air are filtered through the building, preventing the crops from becoming damp or damaged.
Liyuan Library, Beijing, China
Located in the Huairou District of Bejing is a building you may not immediately see if you happen upon it. This unusual structure is home to the district’s library and was inspired by bundles of firewood in the surrounding countryside. The wood covering the exterior was sourced locally by the village people and came from the fruit trees. The way the sticks have been assembled means that natural light can filter through, but harsher light is blocked. This library blends in with its natural backdrop and is perfect for the village and tourists.
The Kayanoya Shop in Tokyo, Japan
In the heart of Nihonbashi, Tokyo, you will find a beautiful wooden soy sauce shop. This store is based on the original Kayanoya factory and is beautifully designed. Large barrels hang seemingly suspended from the ceiling, and each surface has been handcrafted using cedar wood. The store is both beautiful and functional, making use of the natural light and the lighter colours of the wood.
Timber House, Bavaria, Germany
If you are looking for home inspiration, this timber house in Germany will give you some ideas. This private home is full of wood, from the larch exterior to the oak floor and beam interior. Copper pipes are exposed throughout the home, adding to the house’s features, and the open plan living gives the home a bright and spacious feel. Large windows look out onto the beautiful countryside, and once the larch has been weathered, the home will disappear into the background perfectly.
Could wooden homes be the future of climate change?
It’s no secret that the planet is experiencing some serious climate changes, and throughout history, humans have always looked for ways to combat the elements. One of the most recent developments in home design is the inclusion of wooden homes, which have once again begun to pop up in urban environments. These structures are not only beautiful, but they are also a sign of a growing design trend — one that might be the answer to our current climate problems.
Building your home with wood has several benefits, including for the climate and environment:
- It’s a renewable material
- Wood is incredibly long-lasting
- It can be recycled and reused
- Wood absorbs carbon dioxide
- Wood is a perfect heat retainer
Unlike the manufacturing of materials for a traditional brick and mortar home, the process for creating home timber is more straightforward and doesn’t need as much energy to be completed. There is very little to no waste in manufacturing wooden products, and any waste can be burned as an energy source or recycled to make other wooden products. The waste is 100% biodegradable, meaning it will eventually break down into the earth – much better for the environment.
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Handmade Hideaways can help you construct your wooden home
Building a home is not an easy task, but it’s not as hard as it might seem. Building a wooden house can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, hard work, and more challenging than your average brick-and-mortar home. While a lot more goes into constructing a wooden building, the benefits far outweigh any challenges. That’s why Handmade Hideaways are your local master wood craftsmen. We have a love of wooden constructions and a fundamental understanding of what it takes to make a wooden home comfortable, happy and safe.
If you are looking for support with your wooden building project, get in touch today and let us know how we can help you with your new home.