The Emerging Role of Wood in South Korea’s Multi-Family and Midrise Construction
Canada Wood Group’s recent mission to South Korea has revealed significant opportunities for advancing wood construction in the country’s multi-family and midrise sectors. With recent policy changes and building code updates favoring wood construction, South Korea is positioning itself as a promising market for sustainable building solutions.
Advancing Construction Innovation with Wood
A key highlight of the mission was the progress made with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), South Korea’s largest public apartment developer. LH, responsible for constructing 50,000 to 100,000 public housing units annually, has identified wood in-fill wall systems and mass timber as priority technologies for their future projects. Traditionally focused on precast concrete for off-site construction (OSC), LH is now exploring wood panelized systems as an alternative to address labor shortages, enhance quality, and meet environmental goals.
To this end, LH has launched a three-year research initiative (2024–2026) aimed at constructing a 12-story wooden apartment building. This study will evaluate the technical and institutional requirements for scaling wood-based OSC solutions in public housing, while addressing key challenges in construction quality and carbon reduction.
Policy Reforms Unlock Market Potential
On another note, the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MoLIT) recently eliminated the requirement for thick concrete floors in wood-framed apartment buildings. This change removes a significant barrier that had previously restricted the use of wood in approximately 800 housing units annually. With this policy shift, the demand for wood products—particularly Canadian wood—has the potential to grow substantially.
Strengthening Partnerships Through Collaboration with AIK
A significant milestone of the mission was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Canada Wood Group and the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK). This agreement, facilitated by the AIK Wooden Architecture Committee, will foster collaboration in academic research and technological advancements for wood construction.
During the signing ceremony, AIK President Jin Chul Park emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing wooden architecture in South Korea. Canada Wood Group President Bruce St. John reiterated our commitment to supporting South Korea’s shift toward innovative and sustainable construction practices.
The agreement was attended by key stakeholders from South Korea’s academic and professional construction communities, underscoring strong institutional support for integrating wood into the country’s construction landscape.
Aligning with South Korea’s Carbon Neutral Goals
South Korea has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions in the building sector by 32.8% by 2030 and 88.1% by 2050. The adoption of mass timber and wood-based OSC methods aligns seamlessly with these objectives, offering an effective means of achieving sustainable urban development.
The LH research initiative and regulatory changes, coupled with the MOU with AIK, position wood as a viable solution for South Korea’s housing and environmental challenges. As demand for multi-family and midrise wood construction grows, Canadian wood products are well-placed to play a pivotal role in this transformation.