How to make better use of timber in construction projects

The Ministry of Agriculture has published a guide aimed at promoting the use of timber and other natural materials in construction projects. The publication offers practical information and inspiration for drawing up investment plans and is intended primarily for public contracting authorities, building operators, institutions and private investors.

The guidelines, subtitled ‘How to Build with Timber?’, present timber construction in a broader context. They explain its possibilities and advantages, highlight the risks and also address some persistent myths associated with building with timber. The main aim is to promote greater use of timber in the construction industry and to demonstrate how the appropriate choice of building materials can help reduce the environmental impact of construction.

At the same time, the publication emphasises that a high-quality timber building is not achieved solely through the correct choice of materials. Crucial factors include high-quality project preparation, a well-thought-out design and a comprehensive approach to construction, from the initial investment plan through to its implementation and subsequent operation. It is precisely this thorough preparation that is of fundamental importance for achieving the required quality, durability and functionality of the building.

The methodology also devotes considerable attention to the renovation and adaptation of existing buildings. It is precisely in this area that the use of timber and other natural materials offers significant potential. New builds, in fact, account for only around one per cent of the total building stock each year. If we wish to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector, it is therefore important to focus not only on new buildings, but also on the refurbishment and modernisation of existing ones.

The methodology can thus serve as a practical guide for investors and project commissioners who wish to consider timber as a fully-fledged structural and building material when preparing construction projects, whilst also seeking ways to achieve higher-quality and more sustainable construction.

You can find it here on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website.

 

Public voting has begun for the first edition of the international WoodPoP Dara Award 2026. The competition showcases exceptional timber construction projects from across Europe and highlights their architectural quality, technical excellence, innovation and contribution to sustainable construction.

Twenty-two countries are taking part in this year’s edition, having nominated a total of 59 projects. The Czech Republic is represented by the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025, the Kloboucká lesní office building and the refurbishment of the Českobrodská Secondary School in Prague.

As part of the People’s Choice Award, anyone can vote for one project across all competition categories. Voting is open until 30 September 2026, and only one vote per device is permitted. The winners of the other categories will be decided by an international panel of experts.

The awards ceremony will take place on 26 November 2026 in Prague.

Take a look at the nominated buildings and support the project that interests you most.

You can find an overview of the submitted projects here.

Vote here.

 

 

The Timber Research Institute has become a partner in the sixth edition of the ‘Self-Sufficient Municipality 2100’ competition, which seeks out and recognises inspiring projects by Czech municipalities. A representative of the Institute also took part in the work of the expert jury at the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, assessing 49 submitted projects. The Timber Institute is offering one of the winning municipalities an inspection of the timber roof structure of a building managed by the municipality.

The purpose of the ‘Self-Sufficient Municipality 2100’ competition is not merely to recognise a few of the most successful projects. Its main aim is to gather examples of good practice and to show other mayors and councillors that a number of problems relating to energy, the environment, the management of municipal assets or quality of life have already been successfully resolved by some Czech municipalities.

Good ideas may not be obvious at first glance

Among the submitted projects are modern municipal buildings, solar power stations, community energy schemes, smart public lighting management, sustainable transport, water management and measures to enhance the resilience of the landscape.

However, not all innovations make for an attractive photo opportunity. Flood defences, retention systems, energy management or technical modifications to municipal buildings may seem unremarkable. Their true value becomes apparent during torrential rain, floods, rising energy prices or in the day-to-day operation of municipal assets.

It is precisely these kinds of solutions that the competition helps to highlight. It showcases not only the results, but also the experiences of the local authorities that developed, funded and implemented them.

The Atlas of Innovative Local Authorities as a source of inspiration for mayors

Projects from each year’s competition are gradually being compiled into the Atlas of Innovative Local Authorities. The interactive map now features more than 300 examples of good practice from various parts of the Czech Republic.

The Atlas is a practical source of inspiration for mayors, councillors, project designers and other experts. It allows users to search for solutions by topic, including, for example, energy savings, timber-frame buildings, water retention in the landscape, green roofs, community energy, biodiversity restoration and smart features in rural areas.

At the same time, Czech municipalities are demonstrating that their projects are often of a European standard. Although they are frequently developed in small settlements with limited budgets and staffing resources, they can nevertheless serve as a source of inspiration for local authorities both at home and abroad.

The Timber Research Institute will help assess the condition of a timber structure

One of the award-winning municipalities will receive an inspection of the timber roof truss of a building managed by the municipality. Experts will determine the extent and nature of the damage to the structure and propose a suitable course of action.

Early diagnosis helps to identify defects that may not be apparent during a routine visual inspection. This provides the municipality with expert information for planning maintenance, repairs or renovation, and enables it to prevent further deterioration of the building’s condition and avoid unnecessary costs.

Expert diagnostics are also suitable for outdoor timber structures, such as bridges, footbridges, observation towers, street furniture, etc.

The competition’s awards ceremony will take place on 16 September 2026 at the Hotel Thermal in Karlovy Vary, prior to the conference of the Association of Local Authorities (SMS ČR). The Wood Research Institute’s award will be presented to the winning municipality by its director, Jitka Beránková.

Vote for the People’s Choice Award

Citizens can directly decide the winner of one of the awards. Voting for the People’s Choice Award takes place online from 1 to 31 July 2026. Take a look at the submitted projects and support the municipality whose solution you consider to be the most beneficial and inspiring.

Vote here! 

 

 

The seminar “Wooden Buildings in Public Spaces” will show you how to build in a modern, cost-effective, and sustainable way

Are you planning a new construction or renovation project in your municipality—such as a school, preschool, sports hall, senior living facility, apartment building, or fire station? Come to the seminar “Wooden Buildings in the Public Sector,” which will take place on June 11, 2026, in Brno. The event is organized by ADMD.

A representative from the Timber Research and Development Institute, Prague, s. p., will also speak at the seminar, presenting a lecture titled “Certification of High-Quality Construction Companies.”

Certification is an important tool for wood-frame construction that helps investors make more informed decisions when selecting a contractor. It confirms that the company operates according to proven procedures, meets quality standards for construction, and has an established quality control system in place. This is particularly important for public construction projects, as the investor is responsible not only for the cost and schedule but also for the safety, durability, and long-term functionality of the building.

The event is primarily intended for representatives of cities and municipalities, investors, designers, and other professionals seeking practical information on the possibilities of modern timber construction.

The seminar will offer inspiration from real-world projects, insights from the planning and operation of public buildings, and answers to questions about how to build innovatively, cost-effectively, and with a focus on long-term sustainability.

The Wood Institute will be part of the professional conference Wood for Everlasting Times, organized by the ČKAIT Information Center.

Auditor Petr Nováček will represent it with a lecture on the topic of Product Certification. He will focus on an area that is essential for the high-quality and safe use of wood in construction – verification of product properties, technical requirements and their practical significance for designers, manufacturers and implementers.

The conference will focus on wooden structures in a broader context. Experts will present their practical experience and current knowledge from home and abroad.

The topic will be bridges, footbridges, observation towers and other non-traditional wood-based structures. Emphasis will also be placed on the service life, failures, reconstruction and diagnostics of structures.

The event is intended for designers, implementers, representatives of state administration, students and the professional public.

Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: ABF Foundation, Václavské náměstí 833/31, Prague 1
Application deadline: June 5, 2026 or when the hall is full.

Detailed program and registration can be found here on the organizer’s website.