Decarbonising concrete through carbon storage in hybrid timber–concrete systems for a sustainable industrialised architecture aligned with the New European Bauhaus.

LIFE TIMBER FOR ALL is an EU-funded initiative aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of the construction sector. Buildings account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and concrete alone represents around 8% of global CO₂ output. The project proposes a scalable solution: the development of hybrid timber–concrete composite systems (ROD-TCC) that reduce the use of carbon-intensive materials while storing biogenic carbon over the long term.

The project combines material innovation, structural optimisation and sustainability certification to enable wider adoption of timber in construction, especially in building types where timber alone is not currently viable. It also explores low-carbon concrete formulations incorporating biomass ash to further reduce emissions.

IAAC leads the work package responsible for producing a New European Bauhaus methodology for wood construction in Spain. This work is informed by consultations with leading national timber-construction stakeholders—leveraging IAAC’s participation as a founding partner of the Mass Madera networks—and by the network of international frontrunners connected through the New European Bauhaus Academy.

For additional information, the project is also published on the European Commission Project Webpage.

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• Develop low-carbon structural concrete using biomass ash from sustainably managed forests.

• Create a family of hybrid timber–concrete systems (ROD-TCC) capable of long-term carbon storage and suited to industrialised construction.

• Optimise the fire, acoustic and hygrothermal performance of the systems to meet EU regulations and market expectations.

• Achieve European certification and deploy a Digital Product Passport ensuring material traceability, carbon accounting and sustainable sourcing.

• Support the implementation of the New European Bauhaus and promote Green Public Procurement for timber construction.

• Address economic and perceptual barriers limiting the adoption of timber-based structural solutions.

• Promote replication, market uptake and integration of the systems across Europe.

• Project management and coordination: Technical, administrative and financial coordination across all partners.

• Low-carbon concrete development: Production of structural concrete mixes incorporating biomass ash.

• Development of ROD-TCC systems: Design of four hybrid systems (Rod-Compact, Rod-Alveo, Rod-Box, Rod-BoxTens) covering spans from 4 to 18 metres.

• Performance optimisation: Testing for fire resistance, acoustic insulation and hygrothermal behaviour.

• Certification and validation: CE marking, EAD, ETA and EPD processes, plus implementation of a Digital Product Passport and carbon methodology.

• New European Bauhaus implementation and demonstrator building: Development of an NEB methodology for wood construction in Spain and integration of this framework into a demonstrator building.

• Replication and exploitation: Business modelling, After-LIFE planning and system replication (e.g., IB-Compact in Andalusia).
  
  
• Communication and dissemination: Outreach, stakeholder engagement and networking with other LIFE and EU projects.

• Impact evaluation: Assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts.

Programme: LIFE Programme – Climate Change Mitigation
Reference: LIFE24-CCM-ES-LIFE-TIMBER-FOR-ALL / 101213433
Total Budget: €3,269,514
EU Contribution: €1,961,708
Duration: 01/09/2025 – 30/09/2029

Consortium:
PEMADE–University of Santiago de Compostela, Grupo Rodiñas, Xilonor, 3edata, University of Granada, Institut de Tecnologia de la Construcció de Catalunya, IAAC – Institut d’Arquitectura Avançada de Catalunya, Clúster da Madeira e Deseño de Galicia, Fundación Galicia Constrúe, XERA – Axencia Galega da Industria Forestal.