Innovative Design with Engineered Wood Products in Contemporary Architecture

Macedonian vernacular architecture prominently featured wood as one of the primary and widely utilized building material, owing to its abundance, versatility, ease of construction, and captivating aesthetic allure. Therefore, the wood industry in Macedonia has a long tradition of producing a wide range of wood and wood-based products. Despite a rich and prosperous history, the wood products sector has experienced a consistent decline in profitability, diminished capacity to enhance value through downstream manufacturing, and a decline in overall competitiveness over the past two decades. Engineered wood products (EWPs) are building materials that have been used since the early 1980s as replacements for, or in conjunction with, concrete and steel. They provide increased design flexibility for ambitious construction and advanced manufacturing technologies. This study will present modern and contemporary architectural designs using EWPs. Furthermore, it will introduce conceptual project proposals from students, showcasing innovative design ideas that leverage the advantages offered by EWPs as exceptional building materials.