Research in recycled wood funded with 5 mio. DKK

A new research project is to explore and demonstrate the future of working with recycled wood. The project is funded by Realdania with 5 mio. DKK.

A new research project will investigate and demonstrate how we can work with recycled wood in the future. The project, led by Isak Worre Foged, Professor MSO from the Royal Danish Academy and Dario Parigi, Associate Professor at Aalborg university, is a collaborative effort involving academic institutions, architecture and design firms, engineering companies, manufacturers and forestry, representing the entire value chain to drive rapid implementation of sustainable wood solutions.

The project aims to increase the use of wood in construction while minimizing forest depletion and maintaining biodiversity. The project focuses on developing non-destructive methods for strength classification of recycled wood, using rapidly growing wood species, developing prefabricated building components made of graded recycled wood, and creating hybrid structures combining fast-growing species and recycled components. The goal is to create new knowledge and methods to enhance industry potential in using recycled wood, including the development of methods for evaluating and designing new hybrid wood structures.

Recycled wood has potential in the industry

The project aims to increase the use of wood in construction while minimizing forest depletion and maintaining biodiversity. The project focuses on developing non-destructive methods for strength classification of recycled wood, using rapidly growing wood species, developing prefabricated building components made of graded recycled wood, and creating hybrid structures combining fast-growing species and recycled components. 

The goal is to create new knowledge and methods to enhance industry potential in using recycled wood, including the development of methods for evaluating and designing new hybrid wood structures.

"We are pursuing the idea and development of new hybrid wood structures based on high-density recycled wood and low-density fast-growing new wood," Isak Worre Foged says. "This aims to significantly improve the utilization of biogenic resources and create new design potentials for architects and designers who are transforming the built environment." 

This approach builds on Isak Worre Foged's previous research and development of hybrid wood constructions for chairs, boat structures and buildings.

Knowledge of wood's strength paves the way for new solutions

"Strength grading of timber is a crucial aspect of this project, as it unlocks whole new possibilities in the construction industry. By developing non-destructive methods for assessing the strength of recycled wood, we can ensure the reliability and safety of these materials in structural applications," says Dario Parigi. "This not only enhances the sustainability of our building practices by maximizing the use of existing resources but also paves the way for innovative design solutions that were previously unattainable. Through this project, we aim to set new standards in the industry and demonstrate the vast potential of recycled timber in creating a more sustainable built environment."

the project is supported by RealdaProjektet with 5 mio. DKK.