The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the coordinating entity for the ForestED project. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología Forestal de Cataluña (CTFC), the Asociación Forestal de Galicia (AFG), and the Consorcio Forestal de Cataluña (CFC). ForestED is supported by the Fundación Biodiversidad del Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO) within the framework of the Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia (PRTR), financed by the Unión Europea – NextGenerationEU.
The ForestED project will be developed in Catalonia and Galicia, where different arboreal forest species present in natural timber forests with exploitation potential will be analyzed. The forest species studied will be Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Beech (Fagus sylvatica), and Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) in Catalonia, and Oak (Quercus robur), Chestnut (Castanea sp.), and Birch (Betula celtiberica) in Galicia. These woods will be studied through innovative experimental prototypes for construction, considering physical-mechanical aspects, durability, and technical behavior. The impact obtained will be evaluated, and recommendations and analyses of the proposal’s potential in different territories will be made.
The IAAC will use its experience at the intersection of architecture, technology, and design to develop the Green Fabrication Laboratory, located at Valldaura Labs, IAAC’s forest campus. This will be a space for experimentation and research where the unique properties of wood will be explored, and advanced digital manufacturing technologies will be applied. Through 3D scanning of selected trees, innovative prototypes will be designed for application in non-structural building, prioritizing circularity and decarbonization.
The ForestED project stands out for its innovative approach in creating synergies between the forestry industry and the construction sector, promoting circular economy and long-term environmental sustainability. Interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, forest scientists, and technology experts will address current challenges in forest management and sustainable building, thus contributing to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation through innovative practices and responsible use of natural resources. Throughout the project, workshops and training courses, a documentary, and a traveling exhibition will be organized.
