Construction projects in Thuringia are seeing a rise in the use of wood - Increase in Wood Consumption Reported in Thuringia
In the heart of Germany, Thuringia is witnessing a significant shift in residential construction, with a growing emphasis on sustainable, energy-efficient buildings. This trend is particularly evident in Erfurt, where wood-based and hybrid timber construction systems are becoming more prevalent.
The Hellerhöfe district development near Erfurt serves as a prime example of this movement. This ambitious project features multi-storey residential buildings with substantial timber use, hybrid systems, and a strong focus on sustainability and climate-neutral operation. The 16-storey residential tower, built using a hybrid timber system, is a testament to the innovation and efficiency of this approach [1].
Sustainability and energy efficiency are key aspects of this trend. The buildings are designed with solar shading through deep roof overhangs, photovoltaic surfaces, solar chimneys, heat pumps, groundwater cooling, and innovative ventilation systems. These features aim to ensure climate-neutral operation [1].
Modern urban planning principles are also reflected in the development, with residential units combined with daycare and retail spaces on the ground floors. This approach fosters community living and multifunctional spaces [1].
The commitment to timber as a forward-looking construction material is shared by the architectural and structural engineering firms involved. This aligns with broader German and European policies encouraging wood-based construction to reduce carbon emissions [1].
While direct incentives specific to Erfurt or Thuringia were not detailed, Germany’s federal and regional governments generally support wood-based construction through subsidies, grants for sustainable building practices, and promotion of energy-efficient housing. These measures likely benefit projects in Thuringia as well [1].
In the first half of the year, 918 new residential units were approved in Thuringia. The number of housing construction permits is on the rise again, although no specific comparison to the same period last year was provided [2].
Interest in traditional building materials is growing in Thuringia's housing construction. In the first half of the year, there were 335 permits for detached houses, which is 50 more than in the same period last year [2]. This suggests a balance between modern and traditional approaches in the region's housing development.
The number of new building projects in Thuringia is almost a fifth higher than in the same period last year. In the first half of the year, 549 apartments were approved in new multi-family houses, including dormitories. This represents a significant increase of 124 units compared to the first half of 2024 [2].
The Thuringian government has also taken steps to encourage housing development. The real estate transfer tax has been reduced from 6.5 percent to 5.0 percent, making housing more affordable [2]. Additionally, 201 renovation and extension units were approved in the first half of the year in Thuringia.
It's worth noting that wood is to be used in 32 percent of new residential buildings in Thuringia, while every third new residential building is planned to be built with burnt clay bricks. Detached houses accounted for more than a third (36.5 percent) of the permits in the first half of the year [3].
While this article focuses on Erfurt and Thuringia, similar trends are likely to be seen in other parts of Germany as the country continues to prioritise sustainable and energy-efficient residential construction.
The Hellerhöfe district development, with its focus on sustainable, climate-neutral multi-storey residential buildings, is emblematic of the growing movement towards energy-efficient home-and-garden design in Thuringia. The commitment to sustainable building practices, exemplified by the increased use of timber, solar shading, solar power, and innovative ventilation systems, reflects the broader German and European policies aiming to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, the increasing number of new building permits in Thuringia, including for traditional detached homes, suggests a balance between modern and traditional approaches in the region's lifestyle development.
