Brazilian startup to erect wooden buildings in São Paulo´s artsy Vila Madalena neighborhood

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – If Noah built an ark, why not use wood to make buildings? Biblical jokes aside, a Brazilian startup is taking this prospect seriously. Established in 2019 and named Noah, the constructech plans to start its first ventures in the second half of this year. According to its founder, Nico Theodorakis, the aim of using wood in buildings is to reduce the environmental impact of construction.

“This technique marks a shift in the industry’s paradigm. This is a more sustainable construction in all stages of the production chain,” says Theodorakis. As wood captures and stores carbon, a building using this technology could potentially result in negative emissions, thereby producing credits. According to the UN, the building sector accounts for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The technique uses a wood product called CLT (Cross Laminated Timber). This is a type of “engineered wood”, like MDF and MDP, which are widely used in furniture production, but with a much stronger structure. Noah’s first building, to be erected in São Paulo’s Vila Madalena neighborhood, will consist of 11 floors. But this height can be exceeded, according to the company.

Using wood offers other benefits in addition to reducing emissions. Because they are prefabricated, CLT panels cut construction time by up to 50%, according to the startup. By being lighter than a steel or concrete structure, the material reduces the cost of laying the foundations to sustain the building by 30%. Construction is also less noisy, much to the delight of neighbors.

Last year Noah raised R$1.6 million in an investment round. Theodorakis is also a partner in Alf Realty, a real estate developer specializing in high-end properties. “In addition to the environmental awareness aspect, construction is more precise and safe from design to delivery, adding value to the final product, resulting in higher occupancy demand and, as a result, higher profitability for all involved,” says the developer.

Source: Exame