LET BE WOODEN
 

The LIFE-BE WOODEN project NEBletter

Realizzata da ART-ER

Let’s start 

The latest issue of this newsletter is dedicated to two very interesting projects that look to the future of BE WOODEN, both in terms of developing the use of natural materials for buildings and as concrete experiences of using wood in urban regeneration activities.
 

 THE NEB FACTOR 

Living Wood: LIFE BE-WoodEN Pilot Actions

Feasibility studies and projects for public buildings, in the spirit of NEB

The final conference of LIFE BE-WoodEN, organized by partner Housing Europe, was held in Brussels on December 3, 2025. It was an opportunity to present the results of two important pilot projects carried out in Emilia-Romagna and Liguria in recent years. Irene Diti, an expert at ART-ER, Grazia Ricca, director of A.R.T.E. Imperia, and Simone Bianchi, an architect, told us about them.
 

What does the activity carried out by ART-ER involve, and how does it fit into the LIFE BE-WoodEN project?

Irene: The pilot project, Feasibility Study for a Sustainable Local Wood Supply Chain for the Social Housing Sector in Emilia-Romagna involves analyzing the local context and the potential of the regional wood supply chain. We sought to understand whether, at the regional level, the segments of the wood construction supply chain — starting with the sourcing of materials, including wood and all the wooden elements that could be used in a building — are available. Building on the results of a previous activity (see the Toolkit for the Valorization of Environmental Performances in the Wood Supply Chain, in which we identified and codified the supply chain segments), in collaboration with the partner University of Florence, we evaluated the most common target wood species in our Apennines: chestnut, silver fir, Norway spruce, and black pine. These, due to their physical and structural characteristics and availability, could be used in construction. Then there's the whole issue of certification, a fundamental aspect of valorization for creating sustainable wooden buildings.

 
What type of buildings was considered in this study?

Irene: Our goal was to analyze the feasibility of using wood in public housing, with a focus on social housing. The feasibility study focuses not only on the supply chain, but also on a comparative analysis of traditional and innovative buildings. As a reference, we took a building recently built by ACER Reggio Emilia, which has become a model for several environmental and economic performance assessments. Our study, which aims to be demonstrative, detailed, and not exhaustive, focuses not so much on the entire life cycle of the building, but on a comparison of the performance of the materials used: it therefore involves analyzing some of the phases of the production and construction process of a wooden building compared to the same building constructed with traditional materials. Another important aspect concerns the use of public housing (ERP) to understand the acceptability of wooden buildings by residents. We know that the use of social housing has specific needs related to both cost and comfort.

Analyzing the responses, we saw that the use of local wood and wooden buildings are viewed positively, even if there's no willingness to pay more for them.

Several companies were also involved in the project. What is their perspective?

Irene: There's some knowledge and awareness among companies on these issues, but they're held back by the problem of limited material availability and structural difficulties related to uncertain deliveries and available quantities, as well as the costs and bureaucracy associated with wooden construction. Thanks to our collaboration with FederLegnoArredo, we have developed an overview of the Italian and regional wood supply chain. We see that while there are excellent regional producers in wood processing, there are significant gaps in the early stages of the supply chain—production and initial processing.

We are therefore good processors, but we underuse the wood we have.

Irene: The study is important for decision-makers responsible for developing policies to support the supply chain: the Emilia-Romagna Region, in fact, is strongly interested in this work and in the LIFE BE-WoodEN project in general. We know that at the regional level, forests play a strategic role in protecting the territory but also in enhancing local communities and the economy.

What advantages could the development of a local wood supply chain bring? How could the project support professionals?

Irene: A high-quality and valuable supply chain at the local level could support some communities and economic areas that are currently disadvantaged. During the conference on March 20, 2025, in Bologna, where we presented the Toolkit, we involved professionals, industry experts, and representatives of the wood supply chain. In this context, we also sought to understand how well-known the NEB Compass approach is, which forms the basis of the project, and how the themes of inclusivity, beauty, and sustainability could be applied to the construction sector in general and the wood supply chain. We noted that there is still little awareness of this approach and therefore limited applicability. Some examples of nature-based solutions and the integration of natural materials in construction were cited, but much more work is needed.

You mentioned certifications earlier...

Irene: Certification is a very important topic: forests cover approximately 28% of the regional territory, but only 7% is certified. So we need to figure out how to address this: in light of the new European regulations, it becomes essential to enhance this heritage. The other aspect concerns the tools we can apply to support those who decide to embark on this sustainability journey.

What are the next steps for the project?

Irene: The study will be presented in Bologna on January 23rd during an event we're organizing together with the Metropolitan City, which will give us the opportunity to engage with companies and professionals, as well as regional representatives.
 

From the feasibility study conducted by ART-ER, we now move on to the pilot project implemented in Liguria, overseen by the Regional Territorial Building Company (A.R.T.E.) of Imperia. How did your involvement in the LIFE BE-WoodEN project come about?

Grazia: The Liguria Region offered us the opportunity to carry out a pilot project on the use of wood in public buildings. As A.R.T.E., we were taking possession of a property in Imperia: a complex in the city center containing 18 small apartments plus internal and external common areas. We had €50,000 in funding available, including construction, project management, and design. With this amount, we were able to redevelop the common areas and make them available to the beneficiaries, single-member households of self-sufficient seniors aged 65 and over. 
 

So we threw ourselves into what was a completely new and extraordinary adventure for A.R.T.E. Imperia, bringing us into contact with a European dimension that was unfamiliar to us and that opened us up to an unexpected change.

When did the process that led to the pilot project begin?

Grazia: In 2024, we began preparing the documentation, and in March 2025, a meeting was held at the University of Genoa, attended by architects, social innovators, and designers, and working groups with different expertise were formed. We then organized an event at the Naval Museum in Imperia, which was also attended by local stakeholders. While the groups worked on the redevelopment projects, the stakeholders explained their needs and provided guidance for developing solutions. Once the projects were submitted, we examined and evaluated them, identifying the best project for us. And then perhaps the most difficult part began: completing it within a tight timeframe and within the established budget.

How did it go?

Grazia: For us, it was a challenge within a challenge, especially from an administrative and material standpoint, because we're used to tendering for works and services. The winning project presented us with a different situation because it involved the creation of a self-build workshop. We're talking about students and volunteers implementing the project, so there were many concerns, including potential injuries, so we insured everyone involved. I must say I was a little skeptical, but when I went to visit the construction site, my heart opened: I saw 25 young men and women working, each wearing their own gloves and safety glasses; they'd all made identical T-shirts. There was great enthusiasm and a strong desire to get involved as the project took shape day by day.

Were students involved?

Grazia: Thanks to the University of Genoa, we had architecture students participate in the form of internships that earned credit, and they came on weekends. During the week, we had students from the Imperia construction school, with whom we regularly collaborate. It was three weeks of youth at the disposal of the public administration. It was a wonderful experience and a success in every way: we didn't go over the deadline or the funding. Internally, it was very challenging; we're a small organization, and everyone was involved: the collaboration and enthusiasm of the A.R.T.E. team was crucial in overcoming the various challenges.

Personally, I wanted to get involved with this project because it seemed very stimulating: I've been working with wood for some time, and this opportunity allowed me to do something more. During the meeting in Genoa, interdisciplinary teams were formed with architects, social innovators, urban regeneration experts, and artistic practitioners. From March to June, we worked on the design, and it was very important that the group consisted of more than just architects, allowing for a broader vision. We started with the idea of creating an inclusive space, and for this reason, we immediately focused heavily on self-construction, because we believed that involving the people who live in the area was essential to creating a strong and lasting connection.

What kind of relationship did you develop with the neighborhood?

Simone: We involved a lot of young people, and during the workshop, we also approached the residents: they often came to ask if we needed anything, to bring us coffee, and a great connection was created!

You worked on both the interior and exterior spaces.

Simone: Yes, we worked on both spaces: the interior is designed for the colder months, to provide a space for gathering and engaging in various activities. That's why we created flexible furnishings that can adapt the space to suit different needs. The exterior was simply a passageway, and we wanted it to become a social space. We created a deck featuring benches with high, comfortable backrests, shade sails that also evoke Imperia's maritime spirit and tradition, and planters with flowers and aromatic herbs, which residents can tend to.

How was it coordinating volunteers and students?

Simone: It wasn't easy, especially since the students changed frequently. It was very interesting from an educational perspective, even though I'm not a professor. I think it was a useful experience for the university students to move from drawing on paper to actually making the project, gaining a more direct understanding of the materials and tools. For the construction, we used two different types of wood: larch for the exterior, which is more resistant to weather, and fir for the interior, which is lighter and easier to work with, to create furniture that was easy to move. 
 

during the workshop, she handled the organization of participants, engaging volunteers and university students. Mariachiara Santoro, a sociologist working in the third sector, handled the more social aspects. Thanks to her, we started with the model of community houses, found in cities like Turin and Bologna, open to the public, where events and social lunches are organized. Michele Tagliavini, a PhD student in urban regeneration, worked on the project's long-term sustainability model, including economic sustainability, and on evaluating the principles of the New European Bauhaus. We also had an external collaborator, Giulia Brusoni, also an architect, who helped us with the bureaucratic and design aspects.

What was it like working with A.R.T.E. Imperia?

Simone: It was very stimulating. Architect Gamanets, the project manager for A.R.T.E., was constantly present, and we spoke with him practically every day. We worked alongside many people within A.R.T.E.: thanks in part to their experience, we were able to bring the project to fruition. I'm happy with the outcome and the way we worked.

What did A.R.T.E. learn from this experience?

Grazia: The experience is scalable, and we'd like to bring the New European Bauhaus approach applied to public housing to other areas of the region. We're considering projects in Sanremo. This experience has allowed us to achieve very rewarding results: first and foremost, seeing the positive impact our service has on people. But not only that: A.R.T.E. Imperia is a member of Federcasa, the national federation of 85 housing companies, and was involved in the promotion and we'd love for this experience to be replicated outside the region. 
 

LINKS

• Toolkit for the Valorization of Environmental Performances in the Wood Supply Chain

• Pilot action in Emilia-Romagna

• Pilot action in Liguria

• A.R.T.E. Imperia

• Federcasa

• LIFE BE-WoodEN Final Conference

Irene Diti, is an agronomist with a PhD in Agricultural Engineering and is currently a member of the ART-ER working group on Natural Capital, where she is involved in EU projects focused on the assessment and valorization of ecosystem services, as well as climate risk adaptation and mitigation. She also has research experience in territorial planning and viticulture, and works as an EU Project Manager for agri-food research and training programs.

Grazia Ricca, lawyer, she is a manager at A.R.T.E. Imperia, where she has worked since 2007 in various legal roles, handling litigation, tenders, and drafting multi-year programs. Through this experience, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of the role of ARTE Imperia and the company's potential to rethink interaction in urban contexts to meet people's needs, focusing not only on maintaining and enhancing the public housing properties it manages, but above all on improving the quality of life of those who live there. 
 

Simone Bianchi, architect with an international background, developed in parallel in Denmark, he focuses his research and professional practice on timber construction. A proponent of co-design as a tool for social and architectural innovation, he integrates his professional practice with self-construction, coordinating and participating in various workshops. His approach combines technical sensitivity and active community involvement in the construction process. 
 

LIFE BE-WOODEN NEWS

Save-the-date! On January 23, 2026, Bologna will host “Wood, Sustainable Construction and Innovation: Opportunities for the Supply Chain and Territorial Development”. a meeting for industry professionals and businesses promoted by the BIS Green Innovation Hub working group, organized by the Metropolitan City of Bologna in collaboration with ART-ER. The meeting will present the final results of the pilot project developed as part of the LIFE BE-WoodEN project. Language: Italian

Registration required

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