Competitive wood based interior materials and systems for modern wood construction

We spend 90% of our lives inside buildings and this affects our physical and psychological well-being and comfort. Comfort is most widely associated with temperature, humidity, noise, light and smell and these are addressed by various regulations. However , the significance of well-being, particularly psychological well-being in construction, is poorly understood. Objectives of the project are (1) to identify opportunities and limitations for the use of wood in interiors (2) to assess and enhance the bene ficial effects of wood on human well-being (3) to develop, design and evaluate sustainable, value-added, multi-functional wood based interior materials, products and systems for both new construction and the retrofitting of residential, care, educational and work environments. Innovation will be fostered through an applied multi-disciplinary approach and market access will be promoted through the development of competitive, end user oriented business concepts. To reach these objectives the project will identify, assess and develop the following aspects of wood based materials, products and systems for interior use: - opportunities for, and barriers to, wood in interior refurbishment and new construction - options to promote the beneficial effects of woo d based products on human well-being - material and surface properties in terms of improved durability and cleanability, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and human perception of wood based products and systems - competitive and sustainable wood surfa ces and coatings - design solutions that promote human well-being, restorative interiors and energy efficiency - design solutions to meet end user expectations in selected market segments - demonstrate, test and evaluate solutions in closed test spaces an d real life test beds - propositions for effective product declarations of wood based materials and systems - a basis for market access, including business environment and services