Frame of the future

Wood is a great raw material. Light, easily workable, naturally circular, a very low environmental impact. The condition, of course, is that the wood comes from a well-managed forest. Nothing seems to stand in the way of a successful future for wood. Yet a note of caution: a raw material with many possibilities is not automatically a product that meets all the wishes of the market. All the more reason for FSC Netherlands to work with research institute TNO on the 'Frame of the Future'.

Initiator FSC Netherlands

Mark Kemna of FSC Netherlands explains how this project came about: "There is a strong trend in construction to become more sustainable: less CO₂-emissions and other environmental impacts, circular construction, collaboration in the chain. Wood is a material that can do just that. To make it as tangible as possible, we decided to focus on a concrete, common product: the window frame. And there's a good reason for that. Wooden window frames have been produced in much the same way for decades. Every reason to take a hard look at improving insulation and ventilation, less maintenance, and a more flexible design that can be disassembled."

TNO

Jan de Jong, senior researcher at TNO, adds: "For companies in wood processing and trade, it is important to keep up with new trends such as climate and circularity and to produce and apply the window frame in the most sustainable way possible. The same desire also lies with builders and clients. Therefore, we expect companies and clients to be eager to think along to set up challenging but also feasible innovation directions for the window frame."

December 3 presentation result

That expectation of TNO came true. Housing corporations, builders, carpentry industry and suppliers came forward in September to think along during three working sessions: circularity, design and manufacturing and finally co-makership and management. The result of the sessions is a pencil sketch that will be presented by TNO on Dec. 3.

Interested in attending on Dec. 3 (afternoon)? Send a mail to m.kemna@fsc.nl