FLEXIBILITY IN WOODEN BUILDINGS: CASE STUDIES ON TIMBER MODULES DESIGN

Wood, being a renewable and low-carbon material, presents promising potential to address the growing need for sustainability in the building and construction sector. Wooden technologies rely on prefabrication systems, which enhance construction efficiency by shifting the manufacturing process off-site. Although this allows for the industrialization and control of the production of wooden building components, growing concerns have arisen among professionals regarding the lack of design freedom and limitations in the aesthetic value of architecture. Given these considerations, this paper explores case studies of wooden buildings, examining their modular features to provide references for flexible design solutions. The methodology involved selecting a set of significant wooden buildings, and for each of them, an analysis of the main structural system, joint connection, and design approach was conducted to identify prefabrication and modularity features. These features were then gathered in macro groups and systematically categorized according to a specific protocol including the types of components, structural advantages, etc. Representative factors are presented based on each category, culminating in the design of a paradigm that could serve as a useful tool for professionals seeking to couple aesthetic values. The results of the classification clarify the design logic behind modular components in wooden buildings, reflecting craftsmanship and offering a precise, structured response to prefabrication.