Jinju City’s Wooden Renaissance and the Promise of NLT in South Korea
Jinju City’s Wooden Renaissance
South Korea is turning towards sustainable construction. Leading this shift is Jinju City, located in the southern part of the country in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The Seungsan Village Multi-Purpose Guesthouse Project, the second NLT (Nail-Laminated Timber) demonstration by Canada Wood, won the KFS Minister’s Award at the 2023 Korea Wood Design Awards. This accolade highlights Jinju City’s pioneering role in promoting wood construction and the unique cost-competitive advantages of NLT over CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber).
Canada Wood has been key in advocating for NLT as a viable alternative to traditional concrete and steel. NLT’s ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetic versatility, along with its substantial use of Canadian lumber, make it particularly suitable for Korea. The first NLT project in Korea was the roof structure of the Jinju Community Centre, which won the Grand Prize at the 2022 Korea Wood Design Awards, garnering significant support from city officials.
Architectural Visionaries and Green Ambitions
Jinju City, under the visionary leadership of Mayor Kyoo-il Jo, is charging the lead in wood construction among South Korean municipalities. The city is a historic place in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, known for its cultural heritage and now, its sustainable development initiatives. In 2019, Mayor Jo appointed Sam Young Choi, an award-winning architect recognized for his wood building projects, as the city’s Chief Architect. Choi has led efforts to integrate wood into urban development, transforming many public projects into wooden structures.
Following the initial success of the NLT demo project, Canada Wood partnered again with Jinju City to promote the NLT roof panel system for public buildings. This collaboration led to the completion of the Seungsan Village Multi-Purpose Guesthouse in FY2022-23, the second of such which was awarded at the 2023 Korea Wood Design Awards. This project not only validates the effectiveness of NLT but also sets the stage for larger-scale applications, reinforcing wood as a sustainable building material at the local government level.
Seungsan Village: A Blueprint for the Future
The Seungsan Village project exemplifies the potential of wood in non-residential and public construction, advocating for sustainable development and climate change mitigation. The guesthouse is expected to influence future public building projects in Jinju City, encouraging the use of NLT and 2×4 framing.
Seungsan Village is located in Jinju City. The design of the guesthouse project harmonizes with the traditional Hanok village, offering visitors a connection to Korean tradition and eco-friendly architecture. Structurally, the guesthouse combines a 2×6 lightweight wooden wall with an NLT roof, enhancing both integrity and aesthetics. The design includes traditional Korean elements like the Madang (courtyard), providing natural ventilation and light while creating a harmonious visual experience.
In its pursuit of carbon neutrality, the project has employed high-insulation and airtight techniques to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The Seungsan Project achieved impressive insulation performance, resulting in a low-energy building with minimal heating requirements.
As Jinju City continues to champion innovative wood construction, it paves the way for a sustainable future, inspiring municipalities across South Korea to embrace eco-friendly building practices and setting a new standard in urban development.
