Synergy between science, education and the wood industry

The basis of any new solution is not only an ingenious creative idea but also a bold investment, which means that the availability of a new service or product is limited by the financial aspect. At the same time, if we look a little further than tomorrow, ​​ecological environment and sustainable thinking is no longer an option, it is a necessity. The world, especially Europe, has taken a green course, which most directly affects the building sector and requires a revision of the current designing and construction processes, methods, material selection, operation and management.

But there is also the third aspect. Human. In order to create products that not only meet the doctrines of ecology and sustainability policy but also the well-being needs of progressive-thinking people, the integration of science in the process of developing a living space suitable for people is a must-have thing. From a business perspective, given the modern technological possibilities and existing knowledge, it is not a problem to produce an energy-efficient and ecological house that meets the established sustainability indicators. But will such a house have enough natural light, which affects human health and well-being? Will the air quality indicators, which affect the physiological state of people, be the best possible, and will the residents of the house wake up fresh after a good night’s sleep? Will the design, the interior, and the view from the window of the building be enjoyable and pleasant for the particular residents of the house? Answers to these questions are provided by scientists, conducting more and more research in this area and proving that the well-being of a person is directly influenced by the premises they are staying in.

Summing up the experience that Bono Group companies have gained from working in the timber industry for more than ten years, we were very clearly aware at one point that we needed to create a timber product that includes this concept of sustainable thinking in order to live better, healthier and with an idea of what we want to leave to our children. Cleanliness... After the first attempts to confirm our challenging vision that Bono Group could create not only a sustainable, ecological and energy-efficient wooden building but also one corresponding to biophilic design and a holistic lifestyle, we started cooperation with Vidzeme University and later also with the Environmental Protection and Heat System Institute of Riga Technical University. Technology and science are the ones to add value to Latvian timber. It creates an export product with high added value from the minds of Latvia and provides work for production, as well as development and research. The Bono Group group of companies wants to add value to wood, not only by selling timber but by creating timber building materials from which to create sustainable buildings. Thanks to this activity, cooperation with science professionals and the availability of resources from the education sector, we have not only jointly created the concept of a solid wood house of the future but also the first finished project, which will already be on display in the village of Sunīši this autumn.

As a result of the synergy between science and business, not only has the project of a wooden building of the future been created, but during the process, Bono House has developed a design system as a whole, which integrates all the advantages of agile working and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). VDC technology uses 3D BIM models and other information to digitally plan all aspects of a construction project (cost estimation, planning and risk management). This means that all stages of building design are mutually integrated in an online environment and all the involved parties are continuously informed about the work processes and results of each party. For example, energy efficiency is an aspect that each specialist involved in the project evaluates from their own perspective, consulting with specialists from the University in order to achieve better results. If energy efficiency specialists come across signals of low indicators at any stage, corrections are possible right away.

When working according to the Agile and VDC methods, the quality of the project is immeasurably improved, because it is possible to discover and eliminate potential errors in the process before each following stage, thus saving time and money. From this point of view, the investor, the developer and the customer, all benefit.

Undeniably, the development of the future wooden building project is not initially an economically profitable business venture, as it has required bold investment, which Bono House has been able to make thanks to the record turnover of 112 million euros achieved by Bono Group affiliates last year.

Thanks to the involvement of science professionals, we have proven that it is possible to create a true synergy between energy efficiency, biophilia, a holistic lifestyle concept and a sustainable concept by planning the design of each building individually. This means that no matter how developed and perfected the Bono House wooden house project is in the future, it always has and will have to be adjusted to the specifics of the location of the house and the lifestyle of its residents. The strategy of product individualisation has turned from a global trend into a reality.

As with any alliance, collaboration between business and science is not a one-way street. All of the above benefits apply to business, but an equally important aspect is the benefit of the scientific and educational resources and the opportunity to be in close contact with the real business environment. Truly high-value science doctors and professionals are not created on school benches and in libraries. Global experience has long proven the universal laws of development: regardless of the industry, growth and new solutions are only possible in movement, or through a process. The balance becomes crucial again – not only between technology and humanity but also planning and doing. This is also evidenced by the rapidly growing demand for practising science professionals in the research and development departments of leading companies.

Our cooperation projects envisage multifaceted support for academic and scientific projects and improving the quality of staff. This includes support for the promotion of science, research and innovation. The Bono House house concept is open to collaboration with scientists to introduce new, crazy and innovative ideas. We believe!

*The most important role in the concept of biophilia is the link of a human with nature, which, as proven by research, has a beneficial effect not only on human health but also on working capacity and other areas.