Wood+: Strategies for a Material Shift in Architectural Design

Our architecture program is committed to promote the use of wood as the major structural material in architectural design, reinforcing a much-needed material shift to mitigate climate change. The development of timber construction offers an opportunity to increase our Architecture Program’s commitment to addressing environmental sustainability in architecture education. Our program has addressed this commitment by expanding curricular and pedagogical strategies encouraging a material shift in key courses in undergraduate and graduate curricula. This paper presents those strategies in four of our architectural design studios where a wood-focused theme inspires our students to be future stewards to shape zero-net-carbon buildings and communities.

Keywords: Architectural Design, Building Technology, Wood