Still shy in Brazil, the engineered wood market is slowly gaining ground in buildings as an option for concrete and steel in slabs, beams, pillars, roofs, walls and trusses. The novelty offers significant environmental gains, presenting itself as one of the great solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

According to content released by the Brazilian Chamber of Construction Industry (CBIC) the market is in full growth worldwide, following the increase in adherence to the ESG (Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance) agenda. A report by the consultancy Market Research Future (MRFR) predicts a movement of up to US$ 3.6 billion by 2027. Europe is the main manufacturer and the largest consumer.

In Brazil, a pioneering project by the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism (IAU) at USP, in São Carlos, also has wood as its main raw material. The Institute’s new teaching block, which will also feature a new amphitheater, will be one of the first Brazilian public buildings with a glued laminated wood structure – material in which the IAU is a reference. “We tried to create a very comprehensive architecture of what already exists and also preserve spaces that we consider very important at the IAU. Architecture has to be sensitive to this”, says Catherine Otondo, the architect responsible for the project.