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The Chair of the LNEC Board of Directors, engineer Laura Caldeira, stated that wood construction today represents "a change in mindset in the way we design and build", emphasising that the material is proving to be a concrete response to contemporary challenges of sustainability, energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

The speech took place at the opening session of the third edition of Timberworks – Seminar on Timber Construction, Architecture, Engineering and Sustainability, held at the LNEC Congress Centre, jointly organised by CERC – Forest Innovation and Competence Centre, LNEC and the University of Coimbra.

Engineer Laura Caldeira recalled that wood has been part of the history of construction for centuries, but pointed out that today it is emerging "in civil engineering and construction with renewed strength, driven by contemporary challenges that demand new responses". However, she made a clear statement about environmental responsibility: "Wood construction only makes sense when associated with certified production chains, the enhancement of planted forests and the preservation of natural ecosystems. Building with wood is, above all, an environmental commitment".

Another key point in her opening speech remarks that the seminar as the need to strengthen market confidence and support regulatory developments. In order to enable larger-scale projects and consolidate regulatory advances, Laura Caldeira emphasised the importance of consistently demonstrating the technical performance of solutions, fire safety, water and moisture resistance, thermal and acoustic comfort, and response to extreme events, such as strong winds, for example.

There was also a word of solidarity for the victims of the recent storms that affected Portugal. Timberworks 2026 was a space for sharing, learning and inspiration, promoting dialogue among professionals, researchers, companies and institutions.