05/05/2025
CastaneaLAB
Objective
To develop a regenerative construction model using local chestnut wood , combining environmental sustainability, rural economic revitalization and forest fire prevention.
Proposal for a Regenerative Approach with Chestnut Wood.
Alignment with Earthshots
We protect and restore nature by promoting hardwood forests through regenerative construction with local, durable (50+ years) chestnut wood, which reduces waste and preserves biodiversity for a sustainable future.
Opportunity
Problem: Eucalyptus and pine monocultures, which occupy 57% of Galician forest land, cause environmental degradation, reducing biodiversity, increasing the risk of fires and accelerating soil erosion. The low profitability of this inferior quality wood exacerbates rural decline, favoring depopulation and the loss of communities and traditional knowledge. In addition, the use of low-durability treated wood in construction generates waste that is difficult to manage and requires the renewal of structures every 20 years.
Solution:
We propose the use of chestnut wood for construction on the Galician coast, as a tool to regenerate local ecosystems and boost the rural economy. Chestnut wood, resistant and durable (up to 50 years), minimizes waste and surpasses treated pine wood in durability, which requires replacement every 20 years. This strategy contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, balances economic development, reduces the risk of fires and favors social well-being. In addition, it promotes an equitable distribution of wealth among local producers and improves the quality of life in rural communities.
