Scroll through major architecture and design blogs like ArchDaily, Dezeen and Design Boom and you’ll notice a common theme among many new modern structures: warm wood facades. The coldness of steel and concrete, which was the design standard for decades, is giving way to the welcoming character of all varieties of wood, including Eastern White Pine. Not only is this an aesthetic choice that can make everything from private residences to massive museums and skyscrapers feel less cold and imposing, it can also be a greener option.
Wood that has been grown and harvested sustainably can be integrated into modern architecture in the form of exterior and interior siding, as it has been used in more conventional structures for centuries. It can also create beautifully curved, undulating shapes. The hottest trend that’s producing some of the most dazzling buildings ever seen is wood facades, wherein screens of wood are placed outside steel and glass exterior walls to provide shade and privacy. These facades can significantly lower a building’s energy consumption, and add tons of visual interest. Check out a gallery of some notable projects below.
