WOODLIFE SWEDEN in Turkey is a platform, bringing a diverse and broad network of professionals in the urban planning, architecture and design industry together to raise awareness about sustainable development and reducing climate impact through wooden architecture, as part of the *Equal Spaces project.

WOODLIFE started with the WOODLIFE SWEDEN Exhibition at Müze Gazhane between 19 October – 30 November in Istanbul. The exhibition WOODLIFE SWEDEN is made by the Swedish Institute, Architects Sweden and Swedish Wood, presenting how architects and designers work innovatively with wood as a timeless and renewable material meeting with the latest technology.

In parallel with the exhibition, a Wood-Totem, working as a signage for WOODLIFE, designed by Nobon, H. Cenk Dereli, will be exhibited in front of The Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, celebrating wood as a circular material and giving information about the WOODLIFE projects.

Sweden has a long tradition of using nature’s raw materials in the built environment. Perhaps not surprising as forests cover 70 percent of the country’s surface. Wood is part of all moments of life and contributes to people’s well-being. The use of wood is also deeply rooted in Swedish culture, having inspired many artists, writers and craftsmen through the centuries.

Woodlife Sweden puts the user of the built environment in the centre. The visitor is taken on a journey through Sweden, its different climates and conditions – from city to country, from small-scale projects to urban transformations. 40 projects, in various scales and from all over Sweden, have been selected to visualise how architecture, design and urbanism can help reduce the climate impact of buildings and products, and impact future development in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most of the 40 projects presented in the exhibition are completed, some are on their way up, while others are for the moment only strong visions of a better future.

Wood is a vital renewable building material and therefore the wood industry is at the centre of sustainable development. Wood’s lightness and strength also makes it possible to build vertically in existing city environments and to expand existing buildings by using timber-on-top infills or add-ons, and other techniques.

Sweden and Turkey both have common grounds as well as differentiating points in terms of using wood in the building sector. WOODLIFE will be playing a key role as a platform boosting international collaboration and act as a base for discussions and seminars on urban challenges.

WOODLIFE is inviting stakeholders to inspire new dialogues and collaborations, the transferal of knowledge and co-creation of innovative solutions in cooperation with Swedish and Turkish partners. The exhibition, symposium and side events will be showcasing the looming paradigm shift in the construction industry, where wood as one vital renewable building material plays a key role, aiming to meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The exhibition also launched at CerModern between 28 October – 28 November in Ankara. The exhibition will be touring in different locations such as İzmir and Expo 2021 which will be held between 10 December 2021- 30 May 2022 in Hatay.

WOODLIFE SYMPOSIUM and SIDE EVENTS
WOODLIFE SYMPOSIUM realised as a three-day digital event, bringing together different stakeholders from Turkey and Sweden, in addition to the exhibitions, took place at the Circle Space with a hybrid format between 9-11 November 2021 in Istanbul.

A selection of WOODLIFE SWEDEN Exhibition opened to visitors from 21 October to 12 November at The Circle.

The symposium also broadcasted simultaneously in Ankara CerModern, where side events also organized throughout November, by The Circle, AnkaraAks and the Swedish Embassy in Ankara, in collaboration with and with CerModern and METU ArchLabs: FabLab.

instagram: @woodlifeswedeninturkey

twitter: @woodlifeturkey

For more information on WOODLIFE Sweden, please visit:

sharingsweden.se/

For more information about the symposium program of WOODLIFE Sweden in Turkey, please visit:

https://thecircle-o.com/woodlife#symposium

WOODLIFE Sweden in Turkey is initiated by the Swedish Institute, The Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, Embassy of Sweden in Ankara in partnership with Architects Sweden, Swedish Wood, The Circle, Nobon, AnkaraAks, In-Between Design Platform and in collaboration with Turkish Timber Association, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Müze Gazhane, CerModern and METU ArchLabs: FabLab.

The exhibition WOODLIFE SWEDEN is produced by the Swedish Institute and Architects Sweden in collaboration with Swedish Wood, the Swedish Wood Award and the Swedish Forest Industries Federation in 2020.

* ‘Equal Spaces’ is a project about creative, smart and inclusive cities initiated by the Swedish Institute in Stockholm and the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, continuing since 2018, through a transdisciplinary approach covering urban planning, architecture, design and other creative areas.