TIMBER FUTURES

DESIGNING A CIRCULAR BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Buildings are part of the climate problem. Let’s make them part of the solution.

The construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions, driven by carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel. But in the face of the climate crisis, a new generation of builders is emerging—ones who design with nature, build for disassembly, and rethink what architecture can be.

Timber Futures is a full-time, 11-day immersive workshop that brings this vision to life. Set in Nepal’s culturally and ecologically rich Kathmandu Valley, this program empowers participants to explore engineered timber—CLT, DLT, GLT as tools for low-carbon, circular design.

Through field visits to understand vernacular use of timber, hands-on fabrication, carbon impact analysis, and public exhibition, you’ll experience the full lifecycle of regenerative architecture—from forest to fabrication to reuse. This is a workshop built around fabrication, prototyping, and learning by doing. Throughout the program, participants will acquire tangible, advanced skills in material experimentation, digital fabrication, lifecycle analysis and climate-responsive construction techniques. These capabilities will empower you to design and prototype innovative ecological buildings—and prepare you to craft sustainable solutions for an evolving built environment.

The course culminates in the design and construction of a mid-scale prototype—a contemporary interpretation of traditional Nepali joineries, built using engineered timber and designed for disassembly and reuse. By blending vernacular craftsmanship with modern sustainable technology, Timber Futures offers a forward-looking vision for regenerative, holistic architecture rooted in local knowledge and global relevance.

Importantly, the prototype will serve as more than a technical demonstration—it will become part of a community-oriented social space, publicly exhibited to spark dialogue, engage local stakeholders, and revive interest in Nepal’s architectural heritage. The installation aims to show how vernacular wisdom, when integrated with circular design strategies, can actively shape the public realm and inspire climate-resilient futures.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the summer school, participants will:

1. Explore traditional wisdom
   Analyze the rich timber architecture of the Kathmandu Valley and understand its cultural and structural relevance.
2. Master engineered timber techniques
   Learn to work with modern timber systems such as CLT, DLT, and GLT.
3. Understand life cycle thinking
   Gain foundational knowledge in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and its role in sustainable construction.
4. Design for circularity
   Develop skills in circular design, modular systems, and sustainable, low-impact fabrication strategies.
5. Get hands-on with digital fabrication
   Learn the tools and techniques of digital fabrication and how to integrate them with traditional craftsmanship.
6. Co-create and build a prototype
   Collaboratively design and construct a full-scale prototype using a mix of traditional joinery and advanced digital tools.
7. Showcase your work and connect
   Present your final project in a public exhibition, engage with local stakeholders and international peers, and receive a Global Summer School certificate issued by IAAC.

STRUCTURE

ADMISSION TIMELINE

REFERENCES & INSPIRATION

TUTORS

LOCATION

REQUIREMENTS

PARTICIPATION FEE

APPLICATIONS