Yesterday, 5 September 2022, the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, officially opened the Woodrise 2022 international congress, which is taking place in Bernardin, Slovenia under the President’s honorary patronage. The InnoRenew CoE and the University of Primorska are organising it on 6-7 September 2022.

“It is my honour to address you as the President of the Republic of Slovenia and the honorary patron of the 4th Woodrise International Conference, the globally recognised conference in the field of contemporary sustainable construction,” said Borut Pahor, Slovenian’s president, in his opening remarks, and added: “I am pleased that Slovenia is hosting the conference as it is perfect for sustainable development. The raw materials needed for future sustainable development are abundant here. And we also have the services of people who know how to manage them responsibly. All of the above fills me with optimism that sustainable development is not perceived as a threat to current prosperity, but as a guarantee for a future in which we will all be able to enjoy a clean, peaceful, natural and safe environment.”

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor at Woodrise 2022. Image: Daniel Novakovič/STA.

Dr. Andreja Kutnar, InnoRenew CoE director, said: “It is clear that the built environment needs to change, therefore I am very please that at Woodrise 2022 we gathered researchers, industry representatives and policy makers, under one roof, as I am sure that only together we can create a path towards new solutions that are needed in the built environment.”

Dr. Andreja Kutnar. Image: University of Primorska

Dr. Iztok Šušteršič, President of the Woodrise 2022 congress and research group leader at the InnoRenew CoE, also addressed the participants: “Europe set a very clear goal of decarbonization. It went even further and established programs like the New European Bauhaus, which aims to create sustainable future. This is why this congress is important since word wide experts will share their experience how to use sustainable and natural materials, like wood, to renew and renovate the building stock from around the globe.”

Dr. Iztok Šušteršič. Image: University of Primorska

The ceremony, moderated by Ms Breda Biščak, was also attended by the Mayor of Piran, Mr Đenio Zadković, who welcomed the participants, and Dr Štefko Miklavič, Vice-Rector for Research and Development at the University of Primorska, and other guests. The cultural programme was enriched by the musician Marina Martensson.

The main part of the Woodrise 2022 will take place 6-7 September 2022 in the Congress Centre Bernardin, where the best examples of timber use for sustainable renovation of the existing building stock will be presented. Keynote speakers include Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, the mastermind behind the development of the New European Bauhaus, who will share with participants the urgent need to transform the built environment if we are to achieve the European Union’s ambitious climate goals.

Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Dr. Andreja Kutnar and the president of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor. Image: Daniel Novakovič/STA.

Woodrise 2022 is one of the world’s most important congresses in the field of contemporary  sustainable construction, bringing to the Slovenian coast international experts in the field of multi-storey timber construction, who will present the latest architectural and engineering developments in this sector during the two-day event.

Woodrise 2022 is grateful to its sponsors – Securo AS, SHERPA Connection Systems, Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld, Langzauner, Sema Software, Rothoblaas, Beck Group, Hasslacher Norica Timber, iQwood, CBD, Jelovica hiše, M Sora and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

Image: University of Primorska