This week Woodknowledge Wales is participating in the PLEA 2026 Conference (Passive and Low Energy Architecture) in San José, Costa Rica, one of the world’s leading international conferences on sustainable architecture and the built environment. Held under the theme “Common Sense Architecture: Harvesting Local Wisdom for Sustainable Futures”, the conference brings together researchers, practitioners, educators and policymakers from around the world to exchange knowledge on topics including bio-based materials, bioclimatic design, climate-responsive architecture, sustainable construction, building performance, and resilient communities. It provides an excellent platform for sharing research and practical solutions that contribute to healthier, lower-carbon and more sustainable buildings and communities.
On Thursday 30 July, researchers Dr Diana Waldron and Valentina Alzate will present the latest publication arising from our international collaborative research project, “Pathways to Regenerative Construction: Colombia – Wales Pilot Project Learning on Climate and Housing Challenges”, developed in partnership between Woodknowledge Wales (UK) and Universidad EIA (Colombia).
The research explores how knowledge and experience from Wales’ timber and sustainable construction sectors can help inform climate-responsive and regenerative housing solutions in different climatic and socio-economic contexts, using the Antioquia region of Colombia as a pilot case study. It also highlights the value of international knowledge exchange in accelerating innovation and supporting more sustainable approaches to construction.
PLEA26 provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the collaborative work being undertaken by partners in Wales and Colombia to an international audience, learn from inspiring projects from around the world and strengthen relationships that may lead to future collaborations and knowledge exchange.
