On Tuesday 18 November, during the annual ‘Houtdag’, MaterialDistrict launched the book The Timber Truth – Busting the Myths About the Real Potential of Timber Buildings. The first copy was presented to Prof. Dr Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Professor of European Forestry at Wageningen University & Research and IPCC author.
Relevance and timeliness
At a time when timber construction is receiving significant attention as a sustainable alternative, The Timber Truth brings much-needed nuance. The book is not a promotional story for timber, but a factual, balanced publication that addresses both unwarranted scepticism and exaggerated promises.
Written for architects, designers, policymakers and other professionals who want to build on facts rather than assumptions, it enables better-informed decision-making in the transition to a biobased built environment. Drawing on up-to-date insights and international case studies, the book offers a realistic view of the true opportunities and limitations of building with wood.
British architect Andrew Waugh (Waugh Thistleton Architects), who wrote the foreword, calls the book “a crucial first step towards regenerative, nature-positive construction.” He emphasises the importance of factual knowledge: “We know how to build better. This book reminds us why we must.”
About the book
The Timber Truth – Busting the Myths About the Real Potential of Timber Buildings, written by Dr Pablo van der Lugt, is the first book dedicated entirely to dismantling sixteen persistent myths surrounding timber construction. From alleged fire risks and acoustic issues to forest management, availability, CO₂ storage and insurability, each chapter examines a myth and debunks it using current scientific insights, data and international case studies.
The book is structured around four themes:
- Building Quality & Performance
- Environment & Climate
- Forestry & Availability
- Economy & Market
The case studies – including HAUT (Netherlands), Sara Kulturhus (Sweden), Mjøstårnet (Norway), SAWA (Netherlands) and World of Volvo (Sweden) – demonstrate how timber is used worldwide at an advanced level. Together, they offer a realistic, richly illustrated and well-supported overview of the real potential of timber construction.
About the author
Dr Pablo van der Lugt is an architectural engineer, TEDx speaker and internationally recognised expert in biobased building and sustainable materials. With earlier publications such as Tomorrow’s Timber and Booming Bamboo, he has successfully bridged the gap between science and design practice. In The Timber Truth, Van der Lugt brings facts, context and nuance to a debate often dominated by opinion.
“Timber construction is still too often caught between enthusiasm and distrust,” he says. “This book aims to move beyond opinions, towards evidence and craftsmanship.”
With this new publication, he tackles sixteen persistent myths about timber construction, driven by the conviction that better-informed choices lead to better buildings — for people, the climate and resource use.
The technical editing of The Timber Truth was carried out by an expert team from, among others, Alba Concepts, LÜNING Engineers, Nieman, PEFC Netherlands, TU Delft, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). The book was made possible by partners LÜNING Engineers, Metropoolregio Amsterdam, NICE Developers and PEFC Netherlands.
The Timber Truth is available via thetimbertruth.com, books.materialdistrict.com.
