Kristina Bringedal Gedde
PhD Candidate
Authors
Kristina Bringedal Gedde Georgios Triantafyllidis Alessio Miatto Lone Ross Lizhen Huang Daniel Beat MuellerAbstract
Abstract The building sector accounts for a significant share of global material stocks and embodied greenhouse gas emissions. Material intensity (MI), defined as construction materials per unit floor area, is a key metric for understanding resource use and environmental performance. Existing approaches estimate MI for specific building types and cohorts but rarely explore additional factors that influence the structural element requirements. This study refines traditional methods by incorporating building geometry, number of floors, geographical context, construction methods, and regulatory changes, using Norwegian residential buildings as a case study. We focus on stud use in exterior walls to understand how their MI (kg/m 2 ) varies across buildings. Our correlation analysis reveals that construction year (ρ = 0.69) and energy efficiency standards (ρ = 0.51) are associated with higher MI of studs while building length shows a notable negative correlation (ρ = –0.38). Timber stud MI increases with footprint complexity and number of floors but decreases as building length and floor area grow. Snow load further contributes to increased stud MI. Studs' MI also varies across periods, reflecting changes in regulations and construction practices. These findings enhance our understanding of material use drivers in timber structures and provide a foundation for developing more nuanced building stock models to improve resource efficiency assessments and support targeted climate mitigation strategies.
Authors
Shumaila Khatri Hanne Kathrine Sjølie Kristina Bringedal Gedde Lizhen Huang Per Kr. Rørstad Roja Modaresi Lone RossAbstract
This report summarizes the main findings of the research conducted within the CircWOOD project during the period 2026 and presents key recommendations for decision-makers towards wood reuse in the construction sector. CircWOOD aimed to enable and support a transition to a sustainable, competitive, and technologically optimized circular wood value chain through a transdisciplinary research approach. The project was carried out by five research institutions and universities, exploring technical, environmental, economic, and social dimensions in the value chain. Our research findings demonstrate potentials for wood reuse, while also highlighting a variety of practical and market-related challenges. The report presents eight key recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and other decisionmakers to drive wood reuse. Improving sorting systems and quality control for wood waste from construction and demolition activities and prioritizing deconstruction over demolition can enable reuse. Developing supporting infrastructure such as material banks, reuse centers, and logistics systems is also important. Wood reuse can create new opportunities for businesses, while continued research, better data, and AI can strengthen decision-making and support a more resource-efficient built environment.
Abstract
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