Analysis of the thermal engineering properties of low-carbon wooden buildings placed above, partly below and completely below ground level

Low-emission buildings designed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions can incorporate a variety of material and design solutions. One such solution is our proposed building, which features a unique structural system made entirely of wood. This building is capable of bearing heavy loads without the use of steel, concrete, or other carbon-intensive materials. The building has the form of a horizontal cylinder with a glazed front wall, a design choice made to optimize shape and minimize the building’s energy consumption. The analysis focuses on optimizing the thermal and energy performance of this low-carbon timber building, considering three types of placement relative to ground level: fully above ground, partially embedded, and fully embedded below ground level. The study demonstrated that, in the case of a building located below ground level, heat losses are nearly halved compared to those of an above-ground structure. In terms of annual CO 2 emissions, the below-ground building showed an approximate 15% reduction—depending on the thickness of the applied thermal insulation—relative to its above-ground counterpart. Additionally, experimental measurements confirmed the strong cohesion of the composite system consisting of a spruce timber structure and a polyurethane waterproofing layer (polyurea).