Housing the world, without costing the earth
Built by Nature Summit 2026, Barcelona
The Built by Nature Summit 2026 was held in Barcelona—the 2026 World Capital of Architecture—with underlying pursuits on how to deliver housing at scale while staying within planetary boundaries. How can we continue Housing the World, without Costing the Earth?
Between 5 and 6 October 2026, I had the joy of participating in this annual summit. It is easy to see the immense value in networks, sharing knowledge, and meeting people dedicated to this cause.
Arriving from Madrid on a train just after 12 noon, I received a notice that the event opening would be delayed by half an hour due to a Generalitat de Catalunya advisory limiting non-essential movement before 14:00h. This was due to heavy rain and flood warnings—mindful of the recent severe flooding in Valencia that caused so many challenges for local communities.
Noticeably, friends and participants from the Netherlands were numerous from every corner. Keep it up, friends!
Bio-based materials and context
For some reason, although several bio-based materials exist (bamboo, hemp, straw), timber always seems to take center stage in the bio-based construction conversation. As part of teh summit, the day two city tour around Barcelona which centered on timber bear witness to this. Perhaps it is because of its potential for industrialisation, scaling, structured utilisation, and organized, traceable supply chains.
Bamboo grows in weeks—wow! Kudos to those driving its development for construction.
An underlying theme throughout the summit was the need to maintain evidence while keeping solutions firmly within their socio-economic and environmental context. If hybrid construction with timber gets us further, let us go for it! The idea is to try to build more with nature.
The timber truth
A subtle but very evocative moment during the summit sparked a modest resolution: to start sharing—even in the most imperfect way—stories, lessons, challenges, and dreams around timber for the good of East Africa.
At a specific point, I found myself standing in front of Tamara Streefland (Built by Nature Head of Programme) and Peter King (Built by Nature CEO). I asked them for the price of The Timber Truth by Pablo van der Lugt. Both in unison simply replied:
Well friend, there is this copy in front of us [lying on a chair] you can take it. — Tamara and Peter
Tamara and Peter did not realize it, but a tear or two of gratitude dropped from my eyes for this gesture of generosity and kindness. I figured right then that I should do something about the dreams I hold around a built environment that works in harmony with nature for Uganda, my beloved land, and for East Africa. To try to also give, and be more generous sharing information, stories.
Often, we can feel a little alone when trying to make sense of our efforts against the demands of keeping a practice going, paying those we employ, and balancing our commitments to family and friends.
This book, The Timber Truth, treats many wonderful themes, dismantles false premises, and tells accurate stories about the role of timber in the built environment. Its contents cover structural quality and performance, environment and climate, forestry and availability, and market economics.
As a personal rhythm, I hope to write something whenever family life and work deliverables allow—modest contributions published on this website to add to the existing body of knowledge around timber in the built environment in East Africa. Little by little, sharing resources, tools, and ideas that might help someone someday.
Connections across the sector
Without trying to remotely exhaust the list of attendees and the various organisations they represented, I personally remember meeting people from: Wood Knowledge Wales, Bauhaus Earth, CSFEP, IAAC, Built by Nature, FSC, Stora Enso, Egoin Wood, WTA UK (who won the Built by Nature Frontrunner of the Year award), Ahora Madera, SUMA Arquitectura, Kenya National Housing Corporation, Green Building Council Kenya, Gatsby Africa, Timberworld Kenya, Lotino Engineering, Batlleiroig, and SHOUT Africa.
Barcelona city tours
Day two was filled with site tours around Barcelona, visiting various projects split across different groups. My group had the joy of touring the Batlleiroig HQ, Sant Joan de Déu Medicine Centre and after a wonderful lunch (thanks to the organisers!) finally ended with a visit to Real Club de Polo de Barcelona.
The last site visit was at a local sports facility—incredible and beautiful. Realising I had a train back to Madrid at 16:25h when it was already 14:43h left little time to return to my hotel (requiring 50 minutes on the metro) and get back to Estació de Sants (another 40 minutes). I basically needed to run between locations. I did all this (and prayed too, duh!) and arrived within 10 minutes of the train closing its doors. Thanks to teh adrenaline. I started writing this article during the train leaving Barcelona.
Researching structural timber — for Uganda
Since 8 September, I have been focusing more on structural timber as a specific point of investigation. I am not sure where this journey will take me, but I hope it serves Uganda and East Africa toward a cost-effective approach to fulfilling the deep desire people have to own their own home as a form of freedom. Timber could be a viable option for many.
My backdrop remains Uganda—the Pearl of Africa. During the guided tour, one of the hosts mentioned she had visited Uganda and promised to share her story later in the visit. Sadly, I could not wait, as I had to run to catch the train.
A phrase from Pablo’s book that stuck with me is “from forest to frame.” As a structural engineer, it reminded me that I am loosely responsible for the frame end of that journey. Is it optimal? Is it safe against whatever could be thrown at it, including fire?
On the forest side, we seem to maintain a sufficient FSC supply (such as Busoga Forestry in Uganda) that can be utilized. Strength grading, of course, belongs as a core responsibility of the sawmilling process—sending a predictable grade and quality to market. Currently, this isn’t happening consistently, perhaps because the market does not yet demand it. Furthermore, building codes across Uganda, Kenya, and East Africa remain a little too rudimentary or too simple on timber design.
I was also surprised by a detail shared by a Spanish architect: in Spanish public procurement law, the design team (architects, engineers) is not allowed to interact with contractors or builders prior to formal contract award. This is tricky for the timber world, where all parties are often learning together. Jumping on the drawing board together early makes life so much easier and more efficient.
While on the train from Barcelona to Madrid
Writing on the train between Barcelona and Madrid, travelling at operational speeds between 190 km/h and 250 km/h (hitting 300 km/h on specific stretches along the 621-kilometre high-speed line), I hope I live to see reliable rail connections across Uganda and Africa. It would transform business, livelihoods, and regional integration—not just timber construction. It requires long-term order and a plan that spans political regimes, respected and invested in consistently for the common good.
During the summit, I met Marianne, a Dutch professional working in quality management who focuses on connecting interests to see how systems function as a whole. I found this thought rich and beautiful: How does everything function as a whole?
Thanks to the organisers, and to everyone who participated. Let us continue in our own way building by nature where possible. You can find more details about the event on the official Built by Nature 2026 Summit Page.
I dream that timber will become an important material choice for construction in Uganda, and I hope to work alongside many others to see that day come true. Oh Uganda, may God uphold thee.