Circular Timber Greenhouse Built from Underutilized Wood Enters Europe



· Circular timber greenhouse system entering Europe
· Stores 719 tons of CO2 per hectare at construction
· Japan-proven circular model, building regional sawmill partnerships

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - XENCE, a Japanese circular architecture company announces the European launch of its Circular Timber Greenhouse, a modular building system designed to support low-carbon infrastructure while strengthening regional timber value chains. Developed through long-term partnerships with sawmills in Japan, the system is based on a regional network model that converts underutilized sawmill by-products, often downcycled or used as biomass, into primary structural material.

At construction, the greenhouse stores approximately 719 tons of CO2 per hectare, based on XENCE's life cycle assessment (LCA) , positioning it as a carbon-storing asset rather than a conventional building structure.* As European municipalities accelerate the transition toward bio-based construction and circular procurement, the system offers a scalable way to integrate regional timber value chains into urban food infrastructure while measurably contributing to local carbon reduction targets.

Using parametric modeling and automated design workflows, the system adapts to varying site conditions and programmatic requirements, enabling flexible deployment across municipalities. The modular structure is designed for disassembly, allowing components to be reused and reconfigured in alignment with circular construction principles.

【What the Circular Timber Greenhouse is】
The Circular Timber Greenhouse is a modular timber-based building system that transforms underutilized sawmill by-products, materials often treated as waste or low-grade outputs, into primary structural components. By converting irregular and low-value timber streams into a scalable structural system, XENCE aims to create demand for regional timber resources that currently lack viable high-value applications. This approach strengthens local forestry economies while reducing reliance on carbon-intensive construction materials.

Designed for disassembly, the greenhouse enables material recovery and reuse at the end of its life cycle. It functions as a platform for a circular construction supply chain linked to local forest resources.

The first implementation was completed in 2025 in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, where the structure integrates rainwater reuse, seawater use and aquaponics systems. The project demonstrates that the system can be price-competitive with conventional steel-frame greenhouses while leveraging timber's inherent properties-such as thermal insulation, moisture buffering, and resistance to salt damage. These characteristics support long-term durability and can contribute to reduced operational energy demand depending on the program and climate conditions.

【Life Cycle Assessment (EN 15804+A2) - construction-stage results】
XENCE assessed construction-stage impacts (Modules A1-A3) using One Click LCA in alignment with EN 15804+A2, based on a 2,000 m2 reference greenhouse design. In this assessment, the steel-frame baseline shows approximately 289 tCO2e/ha of emissions at the construction stage, while the Circular Timber Greenhouse scenario reflects approximately 719 tCO2e/ha of biogenic carbon storage, resulting in a net construction-stage difference of approximately 1,008 tCO2e/ha.*

These results are construction-stage only (A1-A3) and depend on declared assumptions and system boundaries; the company will continue refining European datasets and project-specific inputs as deployments expand.

【Modular design and use cases beyond agriculture】
The greenhouse is structured as a modular system that can be assembled and disassembled in a short period and adapted across use cases. XENCE highlights applications such as urban food production and experience spaces, university and research greenhouses as learning hubs, exhibition spaces and community hubs.

In terms of specifications, XENCE offers standard module widths of 5.0 m, 6.0 m, and 7.2 m, with length expandable based on the intended program. The system can integrate options such as natural ventilation, automated shading curtains, and rainwater circulation. Exterior material options include vinyl as well as polycarbonate and ETFE, allowing projects to balance performance, aesthetics, and contextual fit.

【Why this matters: a circular model, not a single building】
XENCE frames the product as a response to two challenges: improving food resilience and addressing underutilized timber streams in forest regions. The company argues that the challenge is not only architectural but systemic, and that circular outcomes require design and execution that extend beyond the building itself into operations and supply chain coordination.

Kotaro Ozawa, CEO commented: "Across regions, there is enormous untapped value in timber that is not being used effectively. We need architecture that circulates these resources locally and cultivates place-specific landscapes, industries, and learning. We want to evolve the greenhouse from a purely agricultural facility into a device that grows a region's future. We believe the Circular Timber Greenhouse can be a first step toward making the act of building itself an act of growing regional resources and economies."

【Partnering and inquiries】
XENCE welcomes collaboration with partners who can accelerate circular deployment and regional supply chains, including:
· material partners with access to underutilized timber streams,
· project partners interested in hosting pilot deployments, and
· operators and stakeholders exploring long-term, performance-driven greenhouse infrastructure.

【About XENCE】
XENCE is a circular architecture company developing modular building systems through digital design, fabrication and integrated construction.. Headquartered in Japan and expanding its European operations from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the company bridges circular design principles with real-world implementation across regional supply networks.
For more information, visit XENCE's Circular Timber Greenhouse page and corporate website.

Circular Timber Greenhouse page: https://greenhouse.xencegroup.com/en
Media and partnership inquiries: info@xencegroup.com
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/xence-circular-architecture-studio/?viewAsMember=true

* LCA note: Figures refer to construction-stage impacts (Modules A1-A3) calculated in One Click LCA in alignment with EN 15804+A2, based on a 2,000 m2 reference greenhouse design. Results depend on assumptions, system boundaries, and data inputs.


Tokai Open Innovation Complex
1 Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 464-8601, Japan

Circular Timber Greenhouse page: https://greenhouse.xencegroup.com/en
Media and partnership inquiries: info@xencegroup.com
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/xence-circular-architecture-studio/?viewAsMember=true

XENCE is a circular architecture company developing modular building systems through digital design, fabrication and integrated construction.. Headquartered in Japan and expanding its European operations from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the company bridges circular design principles with real-world implementation across regional supply networks.

This release was published on openPR.