A Guidline to Using More Wood in Healthcare Buildings

"A Guide to Using More Wood in Healthcare Facilities" as a part of the Wood for Health project has been published.

The use of wood as a renewable and sustainable construction material is both traditional and contemporary, and in recent years it has experienced a genuine renaissance in building projects, including high-rise buildings. In interior spaces, wood is aesthetically appealing and warm both visually and to the touch. Moreover, it reduces stress, promotes well-being, and ensures a favourable indoor microclimate. It is therefore advisable to use it more widely in healthcare buildings.

The aim of the European ForestValue programme project Wood for Health is to promote the safe and long-term use of wood products in healthcare buildings by developing antimicrobial surfaces and hygiene concepts tailored to the specific requirements of these institutions, as well as to encourage new European guidelines in this field. Led by the University of Oulu (Finland), the project consortium brings together three wood research institutes (Germany, Norway, Latvia), two coating manufacturers (Latvia, Germany), and a Swedish architectural firm with recognised experience in healthcare buildings.

The Wood for Health Guideline outlines the main aspects and requirements in Europe to be considered for the successful use of wood in healthcare buildings: hygiene requirements, chemical resistance to cleaning agents, mechanical resistance, colour stability, fire safety, and indoor climate. It reports on the contributions of the coating manufacturers involved in the project to innovations in sustainable coatings, and presents research by scientific institutions on developing coatings suitable for healthcare facilities. The brochure includes inspiring examples from European hospitals and medical centres on the use of wood, including the interior of the Riga Red Cross Hospital.

Within the Wood for Health project, the Laboratory of Wood Degradation and Protection of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC), in collaboration with scientific partners, investigated ways to enhance the antimicrobial properties of a non-film-forming linseed oil coating developed by SIA Iecavnieks. Notably, the developed linseed oil coating exceeded the antimicrobial performance criteria set for industrial products. LSIWC is also responsible for the dissemination of project results to the scientific community, policymakers, manufacturers, and the public.

The project is a good example of successful product development achieved through collaboration between a manufacturers and a research organisations.