Materials.
The materials Asia builds with, covered with specs, sources, and honest assessment of what's new.
New 'Brutalist Asia' Book Reveals 28 Countries' Material Adaptations
The new publication, "Brutalist Asia," explores how architects across 28 Asian countries reinterpreted the Brutalist style using local materials and cultural contexts.
Kohila Vineer to Double Estonian Birch Plywood Output with Raute
Latvijas Finieris' Kohila Vineer plant in Estonia will increase its birch plywood output to 85,000 m³ annually, following a €31 million contract with Raute.
Japan Boosts Domestic Sugi Timber Use Amid Spruce Supply Shortages
Japan's wood self-sufficiency reached 42.5% in 2024, up from 18.8% in 2002, driven by government initiatives and reduced imports of European spruce.
HKU Designs 2026 Underground House with 3D-Printed Earth Vaults
The 2026 'Underground House of the Future' in Henan integrates modern materials like 3D-printed earth elements and translucent canopies into ancient excavated dwellings.
Japan Softwood Lumber Imports Drop 27% in July to 265,000 m³
Japan's softwood lumber imports reached 265,000 m³ in July, a 27% decrease from the previous year, according to preliminary figures from Japan's Forestry Agency. This marks the lowest monthly volume recorded in the current official series.
Japan's Ehime Pavilion: 12x2.3m CLT Panels for School Furniture Reuse
The Onodatesho Pavilion in Ehime, Japan, constructed by Yano Aoyama Architecture Design, features regional cedar, cypress, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels measuring 12 by 2.3 meters. Designed as a temporary ceremonial structure for the National Tree-Planting Festival, its materials are intended for repurposing as school furniture after dismantling.
Nippon Paint Survey: 62.8% of Malaysian Businesses Report Flooring Failures
A Nippon Paint survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of Malaysian businesses experience operational disruptions due to flooring issues, with many facing recurring problems and significant costs beyond repairs.
Elixrr Industries Starts 1,000 m³ Daily MDF Production in India
Indian wood-based panel producer Elixrr Industries began medium-density fiberboard (MDF) production on 16 August 2026 at its new plant. The facility, supplied by Siempelkamp, features an 8ft by 33.8m ContiRoll Generation 9 press and can produce approximately 1,000 cubic meters of MDF daily.
US Hardwood Exports to India Reach $6.944M in H1 2026
American hardwood lumber and veneer exports to India totalled $6.944 million in the first half of 2026, driven by white and red oak. The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will promote US species and its American Hardwood Assured program at MumbaiWood.
Tia-Thuy Nguyen Unveils Quartz, Steel & Recycled Glass Art in Shanghai
Vietnamese artist Tia-Thuy Nguyen’s first solo exhibition in China, “Fields of Resonance,” is on view at Almine Rech Shanghai until October 31, 2026. The exhibition showcases nearly twenty paintings, sculptures, and installations crafted from materials including oil paint, beads, sequins, quartz, crystal, recycled glass, stone, and stainless steel.
Jia Curated 2026 in Bali Showcases Sustainable Materials, Regional Design
The Jia Curated 2026 event, held in Bali from August 13-17, presented material innovations and collaborative design from over 250 brands. The event focused on biophilic principles and local sourcing, featuring items made from recycled plastics, pineapple fibers, and coffee-waste leather for building and interiors projects.
Indonesia-Australia Research Boosts Timber Resilience, Pulp Supply
A decades-long collaboration between Indonesian and Australian research bodies has strengthened Indonesia's forestry sector, focusing on disease-resistant plantation species like acacia, eucalyptus, and cajuput. The partnership, led by Dr. Anto Rimbawanto, improved material sourcing for pulp and paper and supported sustainable community forestry.
Jae K Kim's 'Timbercraft' Documents 1,400 Years of East Asian Timber Construction
Architect and researcher Jae K Kim published 'Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia' on August 26, 2026. The book details 1,400 years of traditional timber construction across nine landmark buildings in China, Japan, and Korea, providing analytical drawings and historical context for complex timber systems.
Jae K Kim's *Timbercraft* Documents 1,400 Years of East Asian Wooden Construction
Architect Jae K Kim published *Timbercraft: Lost Tectonics from East Asia*, a book detailing traditional wooden construction methods across China, Japan, and Korea. The publication spans over 1,400 years of architectural history, presenting analytical drawings of nine landmark structures and their intricate joinery systems.
Taiwan Forestry Institute Transforms Wood Surplus into Incense Cedar Products, Boosts Circular Econo
The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute has developed essential oil, scented powder, and incense cones from surplus Taiwan incense cedar wood. This initiative aims to establish a circular economy for forest resources by repurposing materials typically discarded.
Kurosawa Kawara-ten Renovates Ichihara Tea Room with Salvaged Timber, Titanium, Corten Steel
Kurosawa Kawara-ten completed the renovation of a six-tatami tea room in Ichihara, Chiba, Japan. The project integrates salvaged local timber, titanium, and Corten steel to connect the building's history with its garden setting.
Wisewoods Commissions Second Dieffenbacher Z-Sifter for Thai Rubberwood MDF
Thai MDF producer Wisewoods installed a second Dieffenbacher Z-Sifter at its Khao Yoi plant, replacing two older units. The system processes rubberwood, improving product quality by removing latex residues and cutting energy consumption by 50%.