A climate-resilient timber school for Central Asia, built to repeat

AMS Student Nest at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada — UBC Student Centre, Vancouver(Photo: © thelester)

The Challenge

Too few schools, and the ones that exist are crowded and ageing

Uzbekistan alone needs more than 1 000 new school buildings by 2030. Today six in ten existing schools teach in double shifts, so children get fewer hours in class. Most of the stock dates from the 1960s–1980s: concrete frames that use around three times the energy of an EU school, cost a lot to maintain and, in seismic zones, often fall short of today’s norms.

The question is not only how many schools are needed, but also how they should be built. New schools should be safe, energy-efficient and economical to operate. CA Smart School explores a possible timber-based approach for Central Asia. The initiative remains at the concept stage only.

35 %
less building emissions, the regional goal for 2030
60 %
of existing schools run double shifts
1 000 +
new school buildings needed in Uzbekistan by 2030

School Concept

A school for 750 students,
built in timber around a courtyard

The concept proposes a U-shaped school building that opens to the street and wraps around a sheltered courtyard measuring 26 × 19 m. The courtyard is intended to extend opportunities for outdoor learning in a continental climate. Wings of two to four storeys would allow daylight into the courtyard while keeping the building below 15 m.

The proposed spaces include classrooms, an IT and maker space, a library, art and music rooms, a cafeteria and a sports hall. A 300 m² rooftop auditorium could be available to the local community outside school hours.

The concept proposes cross-laminated timber on glulam columns in a 6 × 6 m grid, with the structure left exposed in classrooms. Concrete would be limited to the ground slab, lift shafts and foundations. Ventilation, a heat pump and rooftop solar are proposed with a target of under 50 kWh/m² a year; technical feasibility remains to be assessed.

Students: 750
Floor area: 7 200 m² on four floors
Build time — concept target: About 18 months

Conceptual school floor plan: a U-shaped building around a courtyard, with a sports hall to the north — Conceptual ground floor plan, 48 × 35 m. Not a construction drawing.

Why It Works

Why mass timber suits this school

Mass timber is the structural option explored in this school concept. Its potential benefits depend on design, sourcing, local requirements and the energy and ventilation systems selected alongside it. Suitability and whole-life performance would need specialist assessment.

The same grid and the same panels repeat from school to school, which is what makes the model replicable. Here are six reasons it holds up, in the order a client usually weighs them.

Engineered timber in detail

Reducing emissions is an aim of the concept. Whether and to what extent this can be achieved would need to be assessed through a project-specific life cycle assessment.
The concept assumes about 18 months for construction overall and 10–14 weeks for structural assembly. These preliminary timelines would need to be assessed against the site, design and supply conditions.
Exposed CLT ceilings replace suspended ceilings and bring a natural, calmer interior. Passive House ventilation keeps the air fresh while keeping energy use low.
One 6 m structural grid and one panel specification repeat across every floor, so the design package can be transferred to 10 or more schools with little adaptation.
The upfront cost is comparable to concrete, with an estimated premium of 5–8%. Over 50 years, lower energy and maintenance costs bring the total cost of ownership an estimated 15–22% below concrete.
The concept builds on documented European school projects, among them Fachschule Rotholz and BORG Radstadt in Austria and Gymnasium Langenhagen in Germany, with CE-marked, FSC/PEFC-certified timber.

Working With IM HOLZ

Connecting the partners this concept needs

Our proposed role is to develop the initiative, identify potential technology and local partners, and coordinate discussions with clients, researchers and financial institutions. The partner team, technical feasibility, approvals and funding are still to be established. Design and construction would be undertaken by appointed professionals.

01
Government & Municipalities
We help organise dialogue with authorities. Appointed specialists would prepare technical submissions; authorities decide on approvals.
02
Technology Providers
We help identify potential providers of structural, energy, ventilation and other systems for assessment by the project team.
03
International Organizations
We explore relevant development priorities and evidence requirements. Environmental studies would be prepared by qualified specialists.
04
Engineering & Design
We seek suitable international and local engineers to assess climate, seismic conditions and regulatory requirements.
05
Finance Institutions
We help initiate funding discussions. Qualified advisers would assess financing options; institutions make their own lending decisions.
06
Communities & End Users
We help identify local needs and explore knowledge exchange or training with technology providers and local organisations.