Wooden offices: all the reasons to make the switch

Timber offices are gaining market share because of rising energy prices. In the couple of years since the pandemic, padel — the tennis “cousin” — has exploded, with record participation and sports‑facility revenues. While some call it VIP tennis, padel appeals to everyone for its practicality and simplicity.

But beyond playing this fashionable sport, how do you build a sports complex that also contains eco‑friendly offices? More and more people are making sustainable lifestyle choices: carefully selecting food, choosing green transport and limiting water and electricity waste. Applying these principles to the workplace is essential to achieving concrete results.

Green building is the answer to problems that have dragged on for far too many years. Timber buildings are generally made from Nordic spruce. This material offers outstanding thermal‑acoustic insulation, making it possible to work in a healthy, natural environment where air‑conditioning and heating need far less use — good for both people and planet.

Table of contents:

• What are timber offices?
• Where is it best to build a sustainable office?
• Which timber to use and how to process it?
• What are the real benefits of energy‑efficient offices?
• How much does it cost to build a timber office?

Timber offices

The idea of working in a prefabricated, healthy, eco‑friendly timber office is finally catching on in Italy too. Many people already choose prefabricated timber structures for their homes because they’re cheaper, natural and quick to build. Timber offices, in addition to being quiet and peaceful, are places where energy use is minimal; thanks to green building, consumption can be reduced and the structure’s overall energy efficiency prioritised.

Bio‑built offices address the climate crisis and mark a shift toward renewable energy in construction. Designed to be as recyclable as possible, they generate more power than they consume — achievable through a new high‑insulation façade, rooftop and south‑facing photovoltaics, geothermal energy via wells and greening of the north façade.

Where is it best to build a sustainable office?

You can build a sustainable office anywhere — even in your own garden. Yes: creating a small, intimate space for concentration, entirely customised to your needs, can be done sustainably.

So a sustainable office can be built in any location, even inside a sports centre, provided you obtain the permits required by the local master plan.

Which timber to use and how to process it?

The use of timber still prompts comments such as “It’s not solid and burns easily,” “It doesn’t last,” or “It’s not moisture‑resistant.” Unfortunately, many Italians still harbour prejudices against wooden buildings. Yet despite bias and the current construction crisis, timber structures are gaining market share in sports facilities and for personal use.

The timber of choice is Nordic spruce. This species is abundant in the Alpine regions and Northern Europe and has qualities that make it an excellent building material — during construction and afterwards. When sanding, painting or refurbishing a spruce building, you can count on superior results.

Besides these qualities, Nordic spruce outperforms other species for structures and cabins, thanks largely to its resistance: during kiln‑drying, its cells change so the wood absorbs less moisture.

What are the real benefits of energy‑efficient offices?

The benefits of green building go beyond pollution to economic and social aspects: all waste, such as water and energy, is minimised. Key positive effects include lower CO2 emissions, conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources, and improved water and air quality.

A major advantage of a green office is the high degree of customisation to suit the style and needs of the people working inside. Timber offices can be tailored with no structural, architectural or plant‑service constraints: choose architectural style, plant layout, space configuration, window types and much more.

How much does it cost to build a timber office?

Timber‑office prices vary widely (floor area, finishes, materials…), but as a rule a prefab green‑building office costs about €2,000 – €2,300 per m² finished. Up‑front costs can be higher than in traditional construction, but savings accrue over time.
Eco‑sustainable materials often cost more than conventional ones, yet the higher initial outlay yields long‑term savings.