Timberhaus took part in the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival alongside its sister project, WoodStock, sharing a stand that highlighted complementary approaches to making better use of wood resources. While Timberhaus focuses on underutilised hardwood species, WoodStock explores the potential of post-consumer wood, allowing visitors to discover a broad range of solutions for more sustainable and circular construction.
The stand attracted a diverse audience, including architects, researchers, consultants, public officials, educators, and craftspeople. One question that emerged repeatedly concerned the sustainability conditions for timber as a building material: when does increased wood use contribute to climate goals, and when can it risk undermining forest carbon sinks? This provided an opportunity to discuss Timberhaus’s whole-value-chain approach, from forest management and wood sourcing to construction and end-of-life considerations, as well as the broader transformation needed across the forestry sector.
A particular highlight was the joint workshop, where participants were challenged to design a kindergarten using underutilised wood streams while incorporating New European Bauhaus values. Discussions ranged from the sensory qualities of wood as a material to the role wooden buildings can play in teaching children about reuse, self-repair and the lifecycle of trees. The workshop brought the projects’ themes together in a tangible and engaging way, sparking lively exchanges and practical reflection on the future of sustainable construction.
The festival provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, connect with stakeholders from different sectors, and raise awareness of the role that underutilised wood resources can play in the future of sustainable construction.
A social media campaign involving partners of both Timberhaus and WoodStock was also launched during the NEB festival, asking a very important question in the framework of wood sustainability.