Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Material selection in modern architecture is rarely a simple decision. While traditional wood may be sufficient for designs featuring roof overhangs that protect exterior walls, today’s architectural trends often embrace sleek lines and exposed surfaces, which make materials more susceptible to weathering. In such cases, thermally modified wood (TMW) is emerging as a favored choice.
This shift reflects a combination of performance, client expectations, aesthetic trends, and sustainability objectives. Particularly in North America, architects face increasing pressure to create designs that are both visually striking and environmentally responsible. As a result, TMW is gaining recognition for its ability to meet these needs, offering enhanced durability, visual appeal, and a reduced ecological impact.
Aesthetics and Architecture
Architect Mari Hunt, whose practice frequently centers around wooden structures, explains that her interest in TMW has always been rooted in the architecture itself, such as how a structure connects with its surroundings and reflects the client’s vision. “The material supports that vision beautifully.”
Hunt’s micro hotel Kaseke in Estonia’s Maidla Nature Resort is a striking example of TMW’s versatility. From terraces and façades to the roof and interior surfaces, the cozy cabin is entirely clad in thermally modified wood.
“I wanted to use the same material throughout the building. TMW was the only choice to achieve the aesthetic of a unified material that feels both durable and soft for visitors.” According to Hunt, other materials, such as stone, glass, or plastic, don’t offer the same flexibility or natural warmth as wood.
From residential homes to commercial buildings, TMW is being used in a wide range of projects. Hunt recently designed an eco-hotel in Spain, mainly using thermally modified wood. “Given the intense sun exposure there, we chose TMW because it weathers beautifully, turning gray over time, which we thought would look great.”
Standards and Sustainability
While architects like Hunt approach thermally modified wood as a means to support architectural vision and harmony with surroundings, manufacturers see growing interest from designers who are also drawn to the material’s environmental credentials. Jason Martell, Project Manager at Thermalwood Canada, notes that profiled thermally modified wood “looks stunning,” and that many architects are choosing it as a responsible alternative to exotic woods sourced from rainforests and other environmentally compromised regions.
While architects like Hunt approach thermally modified wood as a means to support architectural vision and harmony with surroundings, manufacturers see growing interest from designers who are also drawn to the material’s environmental credentials. Jason Martell, Project Manager at Thermalwood Canada, notes that profiled thermally modified wood “looks stunning,” and that many architects are choosing it as a responsible alternative to exotic woods sourced from rainforests and other environmentally compromised regions.
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