Lars Stehn, Professor of Professor of Construction Management and Building Technology, and Andrea Luciani, Senior Lecturer in Architecture.
7 February 2025
New projects for sustainable and innovative timber construction
Luleå University of Technology is strengthening research on sustainable timber construction through two new projects: A Grammar for the TRÄnsition and Trä i balans. Both projects aim to develop new design and construction solutions to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the industrial transformation in northern Sweden.
The role of timber in future architecture
The project A Grammar for the TRÄnsition is led by Andrea Luciani, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Luleå University of Technology, in collaboration with Oscar Gamez Bohorquez, Assistant Senior Lecturer, and Max Spett, Doctoral Student. Drawing inspiration from Ralph Erskine’s ideas on climate-adaptive architecture, the project aims to map and develop design and technical solutions to establish a "grammar" for modern timber architecture in the region. The work aligns with contemporary trends such as digital fabrication, circularity, and experimental construction.
“Our research question is whether we can identify an architectural language for the ongoing transformation in northern Sweden, where timber can play a central role in shaping sustainable, beautiful, and functional environments,” says Andrea Luciani.
The project is carried out in collaboration with the Arctic Design Center and students from the Master of Science programme in Architectural Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.
Achieving balance in timber construction
The second project, Trä i balans, is led by Professor Lars Stehn, Professor of Construction Management and Building Technology at Luleå University of Technology. It focuses on developing practical tools to support a more sustainable and balanced use of timber in the construction industry. In collaboration with NCC and Tengbom Architects, the project aims to create guidelines on how timber can be combined with other materials to reduce environmental impact and increase reuse.
“Timber is a fantastic material, but we need to use it in a smart and sustainable way. With this project, we want to provide architects and contractors with better methods for integrating timber into construction while considering circularity and biodiversity,” says Lars Stehn.
The two projects are closely linked and will organise joint seminars to engage students and create thesis projects connected to the research themes.
Both projects are funded by Stiftelsen Actum and the Baltic Foundation and will run for two years.
Contact
Andrea Luciani
- Senior Lecturer
- 0920-493949
- andrea.luciani@ltu.se
- Andrea Luciani
Lars Stehn
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-491976
- lars.stehn@ltu.se
- Lars Stehn
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