The Metawood project – Metamaterials and Training Applied to Multi-Storey Timber Buildings – officially commenced on 1st November. This ambitious project, funded by the Interreg VI-A Italy-Austria 2021-2027 Programme, aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the timber construction industry through technological innovation and specialized training.
Metawood was one of the projects submitted in response to the first call of the Programme, which was open from 20th January to 19th April 2023. This call received 54 project ideas, with funding requests totalling 33.5 million euros across priorities 1, 2, 3, and 5. The total available ERDF funds amounted to 23.5 million euros. The majority of funding applications, specifically 30, were submitted under priority 1 – Innovation and Enterprises, with requests totalling approximately 19.8 million euros.
The Metawood project achieved the highest score among all proposals submitted under priority 1. The programme’s steering committee approved and funded a total of 38 cross-border cooperation projects, including Metawood, recognizing its relevance and potential impact on the smart development of the Italy-Austria border area.
To achieve its objectives, the METAWOOD project focuses on three key actions:
- Conducting a study on the application of wooden metamaterials to ensure reduced flame propagation and optimal acoustic insulation;
- Developing algorithms for the life cycle assessment of buildings, to facilitate eco-design processes and environmental sustainability;
- Designing two specialized courses focused on multi-storey timber construction, aimed at addressing the shortage of specialized professionals in the timber construction industry in the cross-border area.
The Metawood project represents a significant step towards innovation and sustainability in the timber construction, fostering cooperation between Italy and Austria and strengthening the competitiveness of businesses operating in this sector. The specialized training provided by the project will help bridge existing professional gaps, promoting sustainable and innovative growth in the timber industry.