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Zaha Hadid Architects joins Open Source Wood initiative

ZHA has joined the Open Source Wood initiative established by Metsä Wood aimed at facilitating knowledge sharing and growth in modular wood construction.

The initiative aims to fundamentally reinvent and rethink current systems and processes in wood construction to foster innovation and increase knowledge

Wood is a carbon-storing, renewable and strong construction material, yet it accounts only for a very small fraction of global construction with the wood construction industry being fragmented and local. As not nearly enough knowledge about modular wood design and building is currently shared, wood construction remains a limited sector of the construction industry. There is plenty of innovation, but it’s often not so easy to find. By sharing ideas and solutions openly we aim to significantly increase growth and advancements in the sector.

“We’ve been engaged in our own research projects on prefabrication and modularity in building design and specifically around the use of timber. We believe in a collective, multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving and welcome the collaborative possibilities of the Open Source Wood initiative,” said Henry Louth of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Open Source Wood is a continuation of Metsä Wood’s project Plan B, launched in 2015 as an ambitious blueprint to explore the possibilities of using wood in urban construction.

‘We’re excited to have as Zaha Hadid Architects participating in Open Source Wood. They bring unprecedented design excellence and knowledge to the project and we value the inspired point of view they bring regarding the possibilities of modular wood construction. We look forward to the outcome of their design work,” says Mikko Saavalainen, SVP Business Development Metsä Wood.

Open Sourced Wood website

Image: Heydar Aliyev Centre, Photograph by Helene Binet.