Wooden architecture is becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable and healthy building method amidst the climate crisis in South Korea.
Amidst the mounting challenges posed by the climate crisis, wooden architecture is trending in South Korea, with the government and local authorities spearheading initiatives to construct more wooden buildings. This building method is recognized for its eco-friendliness, efficiency, and health benefits. A significant example is the 'Forest Welfare Comprehensive Education Center' in Daejeon, which, completed in May 2022, holds the distinction of being the tallest wooden structure in the country at 27.6 meters. This construction has shattered previous misconceptions that wooden buildings could only be low-rise, thanks to the removal of height restrictions in 2020 that previously only allowed timber structures to be up to 18 meters high.
The 'Forest Welfare Comprehensive Education Center' utilized 1363 cubic meters of timber, effectively storing 1249 tons of carbon, with 78% of its structure made from wood and the remainder from reinforced concrete. This project underscores the commitment of public institutions towards carbon neutrality and the promotion of wooden construction as a viable means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, another noteworthy wooden construction is the Bukmyeon Giant Tree Observatory in Daejeon, which is set to open in March 2023 and is the first of 11 planned wooden observatories across South Korea. These initiatives reflect a growing movement towards embracing timber construction to enhance living environments while advocating local timber usage.
Since 2022, the Forestry Agency has been actively supporting three major wooden architecture initiatives, including the construction of wooden observatories and promoting the concept of 'wood-friendly cities.' This involves remodeling buildings and public spaces with local timber materials and developing timber benches and rest areas. The goal is to implement these projects in 12 locations across the nation by 2029, as part of a broader strategy to leverage domestically produced timber in construction and sustainable urban development, ultimately leading to enhanced ecological and community benefits across South Korea.
